1848 Braided Hair Cent. N-19. Rarity-6. Proof-64+ BN (NGC).A well-produced example showing moderately reflective fields and satiny devices. The patina is colored in dark plum and crimson shades, with areas of lighter pinkish color glowing from around the design elements. A few trivial marks are noted in the field before Libertys face and the surfaces are otherwise without distractions. The 1848 Proof cent issue is desirable and somewhat enigmatic, as are most U.S. Mint Proof issues of the era. Walter Breen listed 13 specimens known to him, but commented “I have excellent reason to be-lieve that this enumeration is far from complete.” PCGS estimates “10-15 known,” but this is likely conservative. Early copper specialist Denis Loring lists quite a few appearances, but there is likely a good bit of duplication as many are old appearances and plates often are not available or so poor as to make such pieces nearly impossible to match. This said, the actual number known is probably between two and three dozen. The present example ranks among the finer representatives of this population, with just a single coin graded higher by NGC in this category.NGC Census: 1; 1 finer in this category.
