1843 Braided Hair Half Cent. First Restrike. B-2. Rarity-6. Small Berries. Proof-64 RB (PCGS).The 1843 is an important issue among Braided Hair half cents; it is a Proof-only delivery that is a very scarce, if not rare find in todays market. Both originals and restrikes are known, the latter with small berries in the reverse wreath, as represented by the present example. Breen calls this die marriage (doubled letter T in CENT on the reverse) a "First Restrike," which the author attributes to circa 1856-1857. The present example appears to be an earlier striking from this die pairing, inasmuch as the repunching at the base of the digit 8 in the date is still relatively bold. A full strike and broad, squared off rims are also readily evident, but more direct light angles are required to discern modest semi-reflective tendencies in the fields. Such angles also call forth vivid gold, apricot and pale-lilac undertones to otherwise dominant sandy-olive patina. Overall smooth, and a probable Gem were the surfaces just a bit more vibrant in appearance.Breen-2 is the most frequently encountered die marriage of the restrike Proof 1843 half cent, but such pieces are decidedly rare when viewed in the wider context of U.S. numismatics. Restrikes of this date as a group have an extant population of only 30-40 coins per the current online version of The PCGS Population Report.PCGS Population (both die marriages of the Restrike Proof 1843 half cent): 7; 1 finer in this category (Proof-65 RB).From our Chicago ANA Sale of August 2011, lot 6226.
