1855 Braided Hair Half Cent. C-1, the only known dies. Rarity-1. MS-65 RD (PCGS). OGH. 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 1855 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 1855-dated obverse in the half cent series, here in its only use. Minor repunching is evident at the outside of the knob of the second digit 5 in the date. Rev: Small berries on the branch. A tiny spur-like die defect slants down to the right from a denticle above the letter E in AMERICA. This is the only use of this die.Die State: Manley reports only a single die state for this issue. Obv: Perfect. Rev: Perfect.Edge: Plain.Mintage: 56,500 coins.Estimated Surviving Population for the Issue: Since there is only a single die variety known for the 1855 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-1: More than 2,000 coins in all grades.Strike: This is a well produced example overall, the central design elements exhibiting razor sharp to full detail. Most stars on the obverse show bold to full radial lines, while softness to much of the denticulation (especially on the obverse) is characteristic of this issue.Surfaces: Frosty surfaces are aglow with vivid rose-red color. Exceptionally smooth even for the assigned grade, we note only a tiny carbon spot in the lower right obverse field and another in the reverse field between the words HALF and CENT that would serve as useful provenance markers. There are no detracting marks, and the eye appeal is strong in all regards.Commentary: The 1855 is the most plentiful circulation strike Braided Hair half cent with full Red surfaces, making it an ideal candidate for inclusion in a high quality type set. Virtually all such examples in todays market trace their provenance to a hoard of approximately 500 Mint State coins purchased by Troy, New York numismatic dealer Charles French during the 1940s. According to Q. David Bowers in his book <em>American Coin Treasures and Hoards</em>, these were slowly distributed over a decade or more, but are now long since dispersed. Most of the full Red examples certified by PCGS we have seen display numerous detracting spots. The ESM Collection coin is of superior quality and will please even the most discerning collector. From the ESM Collection.
