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Small date variety. The last year of issue for the large cent type and a relatively low-mintage date owing to the fact that the U.S. Mint had widely been circulating the new, smaller flying eagle cents. Over 17 million flying eagles were struck in 1857 compared to just 333 thousand large cents.
Obverse Description
Lady Liberty is portrayed with hair tied in a bun, facing left, in what is referred to as the so-called braided hair style. The word LIBERTY appearing on her headband. 13 stars appear continuously around the periphery with the date at the bottom.
Reverse Description
The words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the periphery surround a wreath framing the words ONE CENT. The wreath is tied by a bow at the bottom.
Catalog Information
GSID:
275025
Designer:
Christian Gobrecht
Obverse Designer:
Christian Gobrecht
Obverse Lettering:
LIBERTY, 1857
Reverse Designer:
Christian Gobrecht
Reverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ONE CENT
Weight (gr):
10.89 gr
Weight (oz):
0.3501 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
27.5
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Plain
Variety:
Small Date
Variety 2:
N-4
Coin Date:
1857
Denomination:
1c
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
333,546
Coinage Type:
United States Large Cent
Coinage Years:
1839-1857
Composition:
Copper
PCGS #:
403970
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Coin Value History
1857 1c Small Date, N-4 MS RB
Value By Grade
1857 1c Small Date, N-4 MS RB
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
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Pricing
1857 Braided Hair Cent. N-4. Rarity-1. Small Date. MS-64 RB (PCGS). CAC.
$2,115
1857 1C Small Date, N-4, R.1, MS63 Red and Brown PCGS. CAC. ...
$1,116
1857 1C Small Date, N-4, R.1, MS65 Red and Brown PCGS. CAC. ...
$4,700
1857 1C Small Date, N-4, R.1, MS66 Red and Brown PCGS. ...
$7,050
1857 1C Small Date, N-4, R.1, MS64+ Red PCGS. CAC. ...
$5,640
1857 1C Small Date, N-4, R.1, MS64 Red and Brown PCGS. CAC. ...
$1,998
Braided Hair Cent 1c 1839-1857 MS BN [Type]
Worth: $11 – $4,800
Braided Hair Cent 1c 1839-1857 MS RB [Type]
Worth: $200 – $9,000
Braided Hair Cent 1c 1839-1857 MS RD [Type]
Worth: $320 – $21,600
1839 1c Type of 1840 MS BN
Worth: $18 – $7,200
1839 1c Type of 1840 MS RB
Worth: $1,000 – $9,600
1839 1c Type of 1840 MS RD
1840 1c Large Date MS BN
Worth: $12 – $9,600
1840 1c Large Date MS RB
Worth: $1,000 – $9,360
1840 1c Large Date MS RD
Worth: $9,500 – $16,800
1840 1c Small Date MS BN
Worth: $12 – $5,520
1840 1c Small Date MS RB
Worth: $2,800 – $8,000
1840 1c Small Date MS RD
1840 1c Small Date Over Large 18 MS BN
Worth: $35 – $14,400
1840 1c Small Date Over Large 18 MS RB
Worth: $8,500 – $21,600
1840 1c Small Date Over Large 18 MS RD
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Events
Midlands Coin Club Coin, Currency and Collectibles Show - SC
Location: Medallion Center
Friday, May 1, 2026
