1848 1/2C CAC PR 64 BN Restrike Reverse of 1856 CACG

A highly desirable certified Proof restrike of the Braided Hair Half Cent, this 1848 Reverse of 1856 issue combines important series status, sharp preservation, and rich brown-copper eye appeal, further endorsed by a CAC sticker and encapsulated by CAC Grading as PR64 BN.

The obverse presents the familiar Braided Hair portrait of Liberty facing left, wearing a fillet inscribed LIBERTY, her hair intricately bound and ornamented, with 13 stars around and the date 1848 below. The reverse is the distinctive Restrike Reverse of 1856, featuring HALF CENT in two lines within a laurel wreath, surrounded by the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The “Reverse of 1856” attribution is an essential diagnostic for this famous restrike issue and places the coin among the best-known delicacies of the half cent series.

Certified PR64 BN, the coin displays the crisp, deliberate striking quality expected of a Proof manufacture, with bold definition throughout Liberty’s curls, coronet, stars, wreath, and lettering. The surfaces show pleasing reflectivity beneath even medium to deep brown coloration, accented by subtle lighter copper undertones that enhance the overall presentation. Eye appeal is notably strong for the grade, with clean fields and attractive, original-looking color that should appeal to specialists in early copper as well as advanced type collectors.

The 1848 restrikes hold a special place in American numismatics. Although dated 1848, these pieces were produced later at the Philadelphia Mint using restrike dies, and the Reverse of 1856 variant is especially collected as a distinct Red Book-listed specialty within the Braided Hair Half Cent series. Restrikes of this kind reflect 19th-century Mint practices that continue to fascinate collectors, offering a tangible connection to both the original half cent denomination and the later era of numismatic curiosity that preserved and revived obsolete federal issues.

Within the half cent series, Proof and restrike pieces enjoy sustained demand due to the denomination’s historic status as the smallest circulating federal coin and its enduring popularity among type and date collectors. Certified examples with solid technical merit and premium eye appeal are always sought after, and the CAC approval adds an important layer of market confidence. This piece stands as an especially appealing selection for the collector pursuing certified Proof copper, Braided Hair half cents, or notable U.S. Mint restrikes.

An attractive and collectible 19th-century Proof restrike, this 1848 Half Cent Reverse of 1856 offers rarity, historic intrigue, and strong certified quality in one compelling copper issue.