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← 1839 Head of 1838 Coronet Head Large Cents • 1816–1839
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1839 Silly Head

Large Cents · Coronet Head Large Cents · 1816–1839
Variety
Weight10.89 g
Diameter28.5 mm
MintPhiladelphia
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 3,128,661 Combined mintage for all 1839 Coronet Head varieties
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition100% Copper
DesignerRobert Scot / Christian Gobrecht
Collector's Key IDCK-242

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Varieties & References

Other recorded varieties for 1839:

External references

About this coinHistory

The 1839 "Silly Head" is the second memorably nicknamed portrait variety of the year, alongside the Booby Head. The Silly Head shows Liberty with an expression and head position that struck early collectors as comical or undignified. The portrait is not identical to the Booby Head, which is a different die with its own distinct look, but shares the quality of appearing less polished than the standard Coronet Head design.

The three 1839 portrait styles (Head of 1838, Booby Head, Silly Head) give the final year of the Coronet Head series an unusual variety of visual character. The range of interpretations across different die cutters produced a set of coins that, taken together, illustrate the limits of hand-cut die consistency. No two engravers rendered Liberty identically, and in 1839, the differences were large enough to earn nicknames that have lasted nearly two centuries.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
G-4 Good (G) $36 $42
VG-8 Very Good (VG) $59 $68
F-12 Fine (F) $80 $92
VF-20 Very Fine (VF) $121 $140
EF-40 Extremely Fine (EF) $245 $280
AU-50 About Uncirculated (AU) $470 $540
MS-60 Uncirculated (MS) $735 $845
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated (MS) $1,795 $1,900
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How much is a 1839 Silly Head Coronet Head Large Cent worth?
In Good condition it runs about $36–$42, rising to roughly $735–$845 in Uncirculated. These are reference values, not an appraisal.
How many 1839 Silly Head Coronet Head Large Cents were minted?
3,128,661 were struck (Combined mintage for all 1839 Coronet Head varieties).
What is a 1839 Silly Head Coronet Head Large Cent made of?
100% Copper, weighing 10.89 g.
What is the melt value of a 1839 Silly Head Coronet Head Large Cent?
Its melt value is its metal content multiplied by the current spot price. See our melt calculator on the metals pages for a live figure.
Is the 1839 Silly Head Coronet Head Large Cent a key date?
It's a more common date overall, though scarcer die varieties may carry a premium — see the varieties list.