Price Guide for 1838 Cent Variants

This guide presents price ranges for 1838 Cent variants from three sources: eBay sales, third-party auctions, and PCGS guides. Values are shown for various conditions, allowing collectors to compare across different market segments. Price estimates may vary between sources, especially for rarer variants.

1838 Penny, BN (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $1.50 - $3,105.00
    Uncirculated: $2.65 - $9,693.75
  • eBay
    Circulated: $8.50 - $471.00
    Uncirculated: $125.00 - $1,850.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $20.00 - $435.00
    Uncirculated: $450.00 - $20,000.00
More Detail

1838 Penny, BN (Proof)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $661.00
    Uncirculated: $2,970.00 - $30,000.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $71.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $11,000.00 - $45,000.00
More Detail

1838 Penny, RB (Proof)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $14,950.00 - $29,900.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $32,500.00 - $61,500.00
More Detail

1838 Penny, RD (Proof)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $863.00
    Uncirculated: $46,000.00 - $97,750.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $82,500.00
More Detail

1838 Penny Newcomb 1, BN (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $84.00 - $408.00
    Uncirculated: $216.00 - $2,585.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $102.50 - $410.00
    Uncirculated: $1,250.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $17.00 - $400.00
    Uncirculated: $450.00 - $3,200.00
More Detail

1838 Penny Newcomb 1, RB (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $3,055.00 - $7,050.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $2,500.00 - $4,000.00
More Detail

1838 Penny Newcomb 2, BN (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $96.00 - $360.00
    Uncirculated: $326.50 - $1,586.25
  • eBay
    Circulated: $132.08
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $28.00 - $400.00
    Uncirculated: $450.00 - $1,500.00
More Detail

1838 Penny Newcomb 2, RB (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $1,093.00 - $2,115.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $1,250.00
More Detail

1838 Penny Newcomb 3, BN (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $74.00 - $690.00
    Uncirculated: $384.00 - $2,200.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $152.00
    Uncirculated: $1,500.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $17.00 - $400.00
    Uncirculated: $450.00 - $1,850.00
More Detail

1838 Penny Newcomb 3, RB (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $999.00 - $3,290.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $2,500.00
More Detail

1838 Penny Newcomb 4, BN (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $111.63 - $352.50
    Uncirculated: $470.00 - $35,250.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $94.20 - $125.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $28.00 - $400.00
    Uncirculated: $450.00 - $35,500.00
More Detail

1838 Penny Newcomb 4, RB (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $2,115.00 - $4,560.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $1,250.00
More Detail

1838 Penny Newcomb 5, BN (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $104.00 - $552.00
    Uncirculated: $480.00 - $2,820.00
More Detail

1838 Penny Newcomb 6, BN (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $94.00 - $528.00
    Uncirculated: $282.00 - $1,680.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $29.59 - $260.00
    Uncirculated: $451.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $28.00 - $400.00
    Uncirculated: $450.00 - $3,200.00
More Detail

1838 Penny Newcomb 6, RB (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $3,525.00 - $7,637.50
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $4,000.00 - $6,500.00
More Detail

1838 Penny Newcomb 7, BN (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $240.00
    Uncirculated: $630.00 - $3,720.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $62.88 - $382.00
    Uncirculated: $550.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $28.00 - $400.00
    Uncirculated: $450.00 - $3,200.00
More Detail

1838 Penny Newcomb 7, RB (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $1,997.50 - $6,463.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $2,500.00 - $4,000.00
More Detail

1838 Penny Newcomb 8, BN (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $104.00 - $288.00
    Uncirculated: $329.00 - $1,860.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $28.00 - $400.00
    Uncirculated: $450.00 - $1,850.00
More Detail

1838 Penny Newcomb 8, RB (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $1,057.50 - $3,525.00
More Detail

1838 Penny Newcomb 9, BN (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $105.75 - $540.50
    Uncirculated: $633.00 - $1,586.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $44.00 - $210.27
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $38.00 - $540.00
More Detail

1838 Penny Newcomb 9, RB (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $5,875.00
More Detail

1838 Penny Newcomb 10, BN (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $71.00 - $223.25
    Uncirculated: $345.00 - $7,638.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $15.50 - $41.07
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $28.00 - $400.00
    Uncirculated: $450.00 - $3,200.00
More Detail

1838 Penny Newcomb 11, BN (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $94.00 - $630.00
    Uncirculated: $576.00 - $2,350.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $78.88 - $385.00
    Uncirculated: $1,195.00 - $1,300.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $28.00 - $400.00
    Uncirculated: $450.00 - $1,350.00
More Detail

1838 Penny Newcomb 14, BN (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $132.00 - $20,125.00
    Uncirculated: $1,495.00
More Detail

1838 Penny Newcomb 15, BN (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $162.00 - $3,840.00
    Uncirculated: $6,900.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $20.61 - $91.00
More Detail

1838 Penny Newcomb 16, BN (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $103.00 - $3,407.50
    Uncirculated: $3,000.00 - $8,225.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $2,100.00
More Detail

1838 Penny Newcomb 11, BN (Proof)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $18,800.00 - $20,400.00
More Detail

1838 Penny Newcomb 11, RB (Proof)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $30,550.00 - $47,000.00
More Detail

1838 Penny Newcomb 12, BN (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $168.00 - $336.00
    Uncirculated: $870.00 - $3,120.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $110.00 - $2,300.00
More Detail

1838 Penny, RB (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $518.00 - $6,613.00
  • eBay
    Uncirculated: $2,999.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $500.00 - $35,000.00
More Detail

1838 Penny, RD (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $2,013.00 - $8,700.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $274.99
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $10,000.00
More Detail

Design and Specifications of the 1838 Cent

The 1838 Cent, also known as the Coronet Head or Matron Head Large Cent, was part of the series minted from 1816 to 1839. This coin represents one of the last years of the Matron Head design before it was replaced by the Braided Hair design in 1839. The year 1838 is significant as it marks a period of economic recovery following the Panic of 1837, one of the most severe financial crises in U.S. history.

Weight 10.89 grams
Diameter 27.5 mm
Mint Marks None (Philadelphia only)
Composition 100% Copper
Obverse Design Coronet Head (Matron Head) Liberty, designed by Christian Gobrecht
Reverse Design Wreath of laurel leaves enclosing denomination 'ONE CENT', designed by Christian Gobrecht

Rarity Factors and Value Drivers

The condition of an 1838 Cent significantly impacts its value. Due to the coin's age and composition, finding well-preserved specimens can be challenging. Coins in higher grades (EF and above) command substantial premiums. The copper composition makes the coin susceptible to environmental damage, so specimens with original red color or attractive toning are highly desirable.

The strike quality is particularly important for this issue, as weak strikes can affect the coin's overall appeal. Coins with full hair details on Liberty and sharp wreath details on the reverse are more valuable. Luster is another crucial factor, with coins retaining original mint luster being particularly prized by collectors.

Philadelphia, No Mint Mark

Mintage: 6,370,200

Rarity Scale: Uncommon

Circulation Status: Moderate Circulation

Preservation Rarity: Scarce in grades MS65 and above

Varieties Errors: Small Over Large 8 in date

Market Demand: Moderate, with higher demand for high-grade specimens

The Small Over Large 8 variety adds interest and value to the 1838 Cent. This variety, where a smaller 8 was punched over a larger 8 in the date, can command a premium, especially in higher grades.

Provenance can also play a role in the coin's value. Cents from this era that can be traced to notable collections or have been featured in important auctions may see increased demand and value among serious collectors.

Lastly, the historical significance of the 1838 Cent, being one of the last years of the Matron Head design, adds to its appeal among type set collectors and early American copper enthusiasts.

4/5 - (25 votes)

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Chris Yang is the Co-Founder of Coins-Value, a leading platform for antique and modern U.S. coin valuation. With a deep passion for numismatics and extensive expertise in personal finance, Chris leverages advanced AI technology to provide accurate coin valuations and financial guidance. His commitment to helping collectors and individuals navigate the world of finance has made Coins-Value a trusted resource in the industry.

You can connect with Chris on LinkedIn or reach him via email at [email protected].

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