Mature Head Large Cents 1843 - 1857
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Very Good 8...
The VG braided hair large will have a full rim and full liberty but the tops of liberty will be worn into the coronet line. The devices have a continuous flatness, which on the obverse runs from the top of the head to the bottom. The top of the ear is worn into this flatness. However, even this worn the reverse letters will show some details.
Fine 12...
The flatness is broken at the top of the coronet, which is now distinct from the hair in the fine cent. The top of the ear is a bit separated from the hair above it and the flat spots are a bit broken up.
Very Fine 20...
At the VF-20 level, the lowest curl is distinct from the shoulder it sits upon but it and the two curls above it are worn to a uniform flatness.
Very Fine 30...
At the VF-30 level, there is some definition in the lowest curl and it and the two curls above it appear a bit rounded. There is the tiniest of flatness connecting the top of the ear to the curl above it. There may be some very muted luster remaining on frosty examples.
Extremely Fine 40...
The XF cent will have no flat spots only light even wear over the high spots. There may be some luster present particularly among the stars.
Extremely Fine 45...
Really splitting hairs here between XF and AU wear. Mostly a matter of luster, the XF-45 cent will have luster on most of the fields.
About Uncirculated 50...
At the AU-50 level the surfaces are just about fully lustrous and wear is restrict to only the faintest of hints on the high spots of the devices.
About Uncirculated 55...
To qualify for AU-55 a braided hair cent must be fully lustrous, and have essentially no wear. The only removal from mint state is usually some tiny scuffs or rim bruises that don't look like they were done in a keg. What you see as marks, should look like it was caused by circulation. There may be original mint red present.
Mint State 60...
A mint state braided hair cent will have full luster and no wear. Any marks present on the coin should be related to it's co-mingling with its sisters during their travel into the banks from which they were dispensed.
Last Updated on 12/21/98
By USCents.com
Very Good 8...
The VG braided hair large will have a full rim and full liberty but the tops of liberty will be worn into the coronet line. The devices have a continuous flatness, which on the obverse runs from the top of the head to the bottom. The top of the ear is worn into this flatness. However, even this worn the reverse letters will show some details.
Fine 12...
The flatness is broken at the top of the coronet, which is now distinct from the hair in the fine cent. The top of the ear is a bit separated from the hair above it and the flat spots are a bit broken up.
Very Fine 20...
At the VF-20 level, the lowest curl is distinct from the shoulder it sits upon but it and the two curls above it are worn to a uniform flatness.
Very Fine 30...
At the VF-30 level, there is some definition in the lowest curl and it and the two curls above it appear a bit rounded. There is the tiniest of flatness connecting the top of the ear to the curl above it. There may be some very muted luster remaining on frosty examples.
Extremely Fine 40...
The XF cent will have no flat spots only light even wear over the high spots. There may be some luster present particularly among the stars.
Extremely Fine 45...
Really splitting hairs here between XF and AU wear. Mostly a matter of luster, the XF-45 cent will have luster on most of the fields.
About Uncirculated 50...
At the AU-50 level the surfaces are just about fully lustrous and wear is restrict to only the faintest of hints on the high spots of the devices.
About Uncirculated 55...
To qualify for AU-55 a braided hair cent must be fully lustrous, and have essentially no wear. The only removal from mint state is usually some tiny scuffs or rim bruises that don't look like they were done in a keg. What you see as marks, should look like it was caused by circulation. There may be original mint red present.
Mint State 60...
A mint state braided hair cent will have full luster and no wear. Any marks present on the coin should be related to it's co-mingling with its sisters during their travel into the banks from which they were dispensed.