1850 Braided Hair Half Cent. C-1, the only known dies. Rarity-2. MS-64 BN (PCGS). CAC. Type: Type VI: Braided Hair.Design: Obv: Liberty faces left, a coronet inscribed LIBERTY on her head. Thirteen stars encircle the portrait with the date 1850 below. Rev: A single branch bound at the bottom by a single bowed ribbon surrounds the denomination HALF CENT. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is around the border.Weight Standard: 84 grains (5.44 grams).Diameter: 23 mm.Die Variety: Cohen-1, Breen-1, Gilbert-1. Obv: The only 1850-dated obverse in the half cent series, here in its only use. Rev: Small berries on the branch, light die line joins the crosslet of the letter E in CENT to its upper arm, another die line joins the base of the letters AT in STATES. This is the only use of this reverse.Die State: Manley reports a single die state for this variety. Obv: Perfect. Rev: Perfect.Edge: Plain.Mintage: 39,812 coins.Estimated Surviving Population for the Issue: Since there is only a single die variety known for the 1850 half cent, the estimated surviving population for the issue is the same as that for the die variety.Estimated Surviving Population for the Die Variety: Rarity-2: 600 to 2,000 coins in all grades.Strike: An overall boldly defined example, minor softness is confined to a few of the obverse stars and, on the reverse, a couple of the leaf clusters on the branch.Surfaces: Warmly patinated in gray-brown, the surfaces retain blushes of original faded mint orange color in the protected areas around some of the design elements, especially on the reverse. A smooth and satiny near-Gem with a pleasingly original appearance.Commentary: Scarcer than the 1849 Large Date and 1857, the 1850 is the most elusive circulation strike Braided Hair half cent in Mint State. An important bidding opportunity for the astute collector. From the ESM Collection.
