1848 Braided Hair Half Cent. First Restrike. B-2. Rarity-5. Small Berries, Reverse of 1856. Proof-65+ RB (NGC). CAC. 83.7 grains. Mostly bright orange surfaces, with a suggestion of light brown toning. A few flecks are visible under magnification, hardly distracting, and this is certainly a far above-average example of a rare date in the half cent series. Breen Series I, an early die state.<p>In the world of copper American coins, the Proof-only half cents of 1840-1848 are among the most challenging. The quantities struck of Originals as well as the later Restrikes were tiny at best, probably with just several dozen pieces in the former format made for most dates, along with an unknown quantity of Restrikes that were concocted in later dates, generally during the 1850s. The extant population among this date range is thin at best. The Breen-Hanson census discussed more than two dozen examples, while Richard T. Coleman, Jr. lists just over 40 entries. Regardless of exactly how many are around today, collectors usually have to rely on the occasional auction appearance to obtain a Proof 1848 half cent. This piece, once part of the famous Norweb Collection, is a particularly desirable offering for the advanced numismatist. From Thomas L. Elder, October 17, 1908; Albert Holden; Emery May Norweb; our (Bowers and Merenas) sale of the Norweb Collection, Part I, October 1987, lot 119; Jon Hanson; Donald G. Partrick; Heritages sale of the Donald G. Partrick Collection, April 2021 CSNS Signature Auction, lot 3764.
