US Large Cent 1846 Braided Hair Small Date Very Fine

The 1842 Braided Hair Large Cent with the Small Date variety is one of the more interesting issues of the early Braided Hair series. This type, introduced in 1839 by Chief Engraver Christian Gobrecht, replaced the older Matron Head design that had been in use since 1816. The Braided Hair portrait presented a younger, more refined image of Liberty, aligning with neoclassical artistic ideals while also providing a refreshed look for America’s largest circulating copper coin. The 1842 issue is significant because it comes with two distinct date varieties: Small Date and Large Date. Collectors recognize the Small Date by the compact size of its numerals, most notably the slimmer and tighter appearance of the “8” and “2.” This subtype is scarcer than the Large Date, adding an element of rarity and making it especially appealing to variety enthusiasts.

The obverse of the 1842 Small Date cent features Liberty facing left, her hair braided and tied into a neat bun at the back of her head. She wears a coronet inscribed with the word LIBERTY, a detail that was carried over from earlier designs but rendered with a more elegant touch under Gobrecht’s hand. Her youthful, refined portrait was meant to modernize U.S. coinage at a time when American art and design were maturing. Thirteen stars encircle Liberty, representing the original colonies, while the date “1842” is prominently displayed below. On the Small Date variety, the numerals are tighter, smaller, and appear closer together than the bold, widely spaced numerals of the Large Date, making identification straightforward for collectors who compare the two varieties side by side.

The reverse design is the traditional large cent arrangement that had been in use since the earliest years of the series. At its center is the denomination “ONE CENT,” encircled by a laurel wreath tied with a bow at the base. Around the wreath runs the legend “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” while beneath the bow appears the fractional value “1/100.” Gobrecht refined the proportions of the wreath to create a more balanced and symmetrical look, while still adhering to the basic format established decades earlier. Small differences in letter spacing, wreath detail, and bow shape are noted between dies, but the essential design remained unchanged, emphasizing clarity and tradition.

The 1842 Large Cents were struck at the Philadelphia Mint, then still the only U.S. minting facility in operation. Minting technology had improved by the 1840s, with screw presses producing coins more efficiently, though dies were still prepared by hand. Each numeral, letter, and star was individually punched into the die, a process that resulted in small variations in alignment and size, such as the distinction between Small Date and Large Date. Planchets were generally of higher quality than in earlier decades, though occasional flaws such as porosity, laminations, or cracks still appear on surviving examples. Striking quality was typically solid, but coins can show weakness in Liberty’s hair curls or the wreath bow.

The official mintage for the 1842 Large Cent totaled 2,383,390 pieces, a robust figure by the standards of the day. However, only a portion of these were produced with the Small Date punches, making this subtype scarcer than the more common Large Date. Like most large cents, the vast majority of these coins circulated heavily and suffered wear, corrosion, or damage from long-term use. Today, lower-grade examples are relatively available, but coins in higher circulated grades such as Very Fine are scarce and command a premium, especially when the Small Date distinction is clear and the coin is problem-free.

In Very Fine condition, the 1842 Braided Hair Small Date Large Cent displays moderate but even wear, with its key design elements intact. On the obverse, Liberty’s facial features remain distinct, though softened by circulation. The coronet is outlined, and the inscription LIBERTY is legible, though slightly worn. Her braided hair retains its overall structure, with the major strands visible even as finer details have smoothed. The thirteen stars are present but flattened, and the date “1842” is sharp and compact, immediately identifying it as the Small Date variety. On the reverse, the wreath retains its form, with most leaves outlined and the bow visible. The central “ONE CENT” is bold and complete, while the surrounding legend “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” remains sharp. The fractional “1/100” beneath the bow is still visible, though somewhat faint.

A Very Fine example typically develops a pleasing chocolate-brown or olive patina, the result of nearly two centuries of natural oxidation. This toning gives the coin antique character and underscores its originality. Minor rim nicks, light scratches, or small planchet flaws are common on early copper coins and are generally acceptable within this grade, as they do not detract significantly from eye appeal. Collectors value the combination of preserved details, attractive toning, and the clear Small Date feature, making such examples especially rewarding.

The 1842 cent circulated widely during the presidency of John Tyler, following the sudden death of William Henry Harrison in 1841. It was a period of political and economic instability, yet copper cents remained indispensable in everyday commerce. A cent could purchase basic items, and its large size and heavy copper weight made it credible and trusted. At a time when paper money was often distrusted and precious metals were hoarded, large cents like the 1842 issue were a foundation of small-scale trade and an important part of everyday American life. Each coin served countless transactions before eventually retiring to collectors’ cabinets generations later.

For collectors today, the 1842 Small Date Braided Hair Large Cent is a prized variety that reflects both artistic refinement and Mint practices of the era. Specialists enjoy pursuing the Small Date and Large Date as distinct subtypes, while general collectors value the coin as a representative of the early Braided Hair design. In Very Fine condition, it offers a satisfying balance between affordability and detail, with enough sharpness to appreciate Liberty’s portrait and the wreath while still showing the honest wear of circulation. Its relative scarcity compared to the Large Date ensures continued demand, especially among variety enthusiasts.

Overall, the 1842 Braided Hair Small Date Large Cent in Very Fine condition is a coin of significant historical and numismatic interest. It embodies Christian Gobrecht’s refined portrait of Liberty, the Mint’s evolving engraving practices, and the economic realities of America in the 1840s. With its bold Small Date numerals, preserved design features, warm patina, and tangible circulation history, it stands as both a collectible treasure and a meaningful artifact of early U.S. commerce. For any collector of early American copper, the 1842 Small Date cent is an essential addition that enriches the study and enjoyment of the Braided Hair series.

• Denomination: N/A
• Year: 1846
• Diameter: N/A
• Mint Mark: N/A
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• Grade: N/A