1849 Braided Hair Half Cent. C-1. Rarity-2. Large Date. MS-65 BN (PCGS). CAC. A truly exceptional Gem with considerable Mint Red glowing from the protected areas on both sides. The patina is otherwise dominated by rich chocolate-brown shades and a delightful glossy texture. Well struck and free of notable blemishes, this specimen is one of the finest known from these dies. Not a single example is ranked higher at PCGS or CAC in any color designation. Manley Die State 2.0.<p>The 1849 C-1 vies with the 1857 as the second scarcest circulation strike issue in the Braided Hair half cent series. It is known as the Large Date variety, which distinguishes it from its identically dated Proof counterpart. This is an exceptionally well preserved Gem that will please even the most discerning numismatist.<p>By the end of 1835 the Philadelphia Mints backlog of half cents amounted to 539,000 coins, and continued coinage of the Classic Head design was suspended until these could be distributed into commercial channels. This was likely to take a while, given the unpopularity of this denomination in commerce at the time, and it was not until 1849 that circulation strike production resumed. By that time Christian Gobrechts Braided Hair motif had already been in use for Proof coinage since 1840, and it was this design type that would continue until the end of the series in 1857. The planchets for all circulation strike half cents of this era, 1849 to 1857, were supplied by Crocker Brothers & Co. of Taunton, Massachusetts. Ex Jon Hanson; Donald G. Partrick; Heritages sale of the Donald G. Partrick Collection, April 2021 CSNS Signature Auction, lot 3769.
