1851 Braided Hair Large Cent

I'll ask the question. Why does the term "COW" apply?
Inquirng minds want to know. Thanks!
Beautiful dark chocolate milk have anything to do with it?

Because this entry is in the Coin Of the Week section of forum.

I thought it was because this coin makes you think, "How Now Brown Cow?"

that is one of the coins on my list!

Has that coin even been in circulation....I don't see a scratch on it? Where did you get such a clean coin? I bought an 1846 model rated VG for $16...but the hair on mine is worn ....your hair is new looking. Outstanding coin how much did you pay for it?

best looking coins I have ever seen! and the year 1851 is equally very special

The 1839-1857 braided hairs up to XF are not TOO difficult, going above into AU they begin to climb rapidly.

Like any other series each one is different and has slightly different pricing and varieties. Most books more or less just break them into type, but for instance a 51 is much harder than a 52 for some reason. But if going just by book. They are quoted at same price...go figure.

Most of the braided hairs in up to about XF they can be found for under say around 50.00 if you poke around, but once breaching into AU and into the MS category they all begin to sharply jump into 150-600 range. With sharp jumps on each step towards the threshold of MS63/64/65.

Pushing above into the MS66's and 67's it gets pretty obscene as the rarity of such conditions command a very hefty premium among collectors. Sellers can practically name their own prices on some of the varieties since they are scarce in high grades. Every year they wiggle a little higher.

Very addictive series to collect. Each has such personality and age. I have some toned to an almost iridescent purple, while others deep almost black. Definitely to be considered a long term goal for most collectors on any sort of budget.

Many different varieties in large cents. Large dates, Small dates, Overdates, Upright numbers, Fancy numbers. Never met anyone that just goes by date in their collections of them. It becomes a world to itself.

-JMHO