1841 Half Cent
Photos: Numismatic Guaranty Company
Counterfeit Detection

1841 Half Cent

Published October 2, 2026 | Read time 2 min read

By Numismatic Guaranty Company

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The Braided Hair half cent series has many oddities. With nearly the same diameter as a modern quarter, the Braided Hair half cent was first issued in 1840. For the first half of its existence, it was struck exclusively in proof format in small quantities for collectors. Later restrikes (most of them not officially authorized) added slightly to their paltry numbers, but all the proofs from the 1840s are rare and sell for thousands today. The series ended in 1857. This also marked the end of the denomination, which had struggled to achieve popularity in commerce.

Genuine 1841 half cent.
Counterfeit 1841 half cent. (Photos: Numismatic Guaranty Company)

Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) recently received a submission of a purported 1841 half cent. This particular coin has large berries in the wreath on the reverse, which, as a general rule, identifies it as an original issue rather than a restrike. While it has the hallmark die crack through several of the obverse stars, this purported example also has some unexpected features. 

Raised metal appears next to the star closest to Liberty’s brow, and the vertical bar of the E in LIBERTY is misshapen. Additionally, fuzziness in the design, including the denticles, helps to identify this coin as a counterfeit.   

The electrotype (right) bears suspicious artifacts, and the edge (shown below) has been altered to cover up the seam.

Instead of a typical counterfeit (which is struck from false dies), this coin is an electrotype. To create an  electrotype, a wax impression of a coin is coated with a conductive metallic powder, such as graphite or copper, and is then electroplated, which allows a thin layer of metal to gradually build up over the surface of the wax. Once the coating has reached sufficient thickness, it is separated from the wax form, leaving a hollow shell reproduction of one side of the original coin.

The process is repeated for the other side, and the two halves are then joined together. Typically, the hollow interior is filled with metal to provide the expected weight. The edge of this particular counterfeit shows signs of tooling, which was done to hide the seam.

Some electrotypes are made for display, without nefarious intentions. However, they can escape into the marketplace and be mistaken for genuine coins. Remember, NGC backs its determinations of authenticity and grade with the NGC Guarantee.

A version of this article appears in the November 2026 issue of The Numismatist (money.org).