1855 Braided Hair Half Cent. C-1, the only known dies. Rarity-1. MS-65+ RD (PCGS). Gold Shield Holder.This is a beautiful coin that ranks among the finest certified 1855 half cents. Vivid rose-red surfaces retain full mint color and both sides offer sharp striking detail to virtually all design elements. It is silky smooth with a lovely satin texture, and there is much to recommend this coin to high quality type collectors and advanced early copper enthusiasts. Along with the 1853, the 1855 is the most frequently seen Braided Hair half cent and even Mint State survivors are relatively available due in no small part to a hoard of Uncirculated coins found by Thomas L. Elder during the 1930s. According to Walter Breen (1983), at least four rolls from that find remained intact as late as 1954, although these coins have long since been dispersed. With spots prevalent on many of the Elder hoard coins (again per Breen), the outstanding Gem full Red example offered here is a phenomenal condition rarity that will please even the most discerning collector.
