Because of negative public reaction, the Matron Head cents was again redesigned in 1835 by Christian Gobrecht for the last major change to the coin. The updated gave Lady Liberty a slimmer, younger appearance. Minor tweaks continued through 1843, and the 1843 never changed.

The public (in need of small change) initially welcomed the large cents. But the cumbersome coins soon fell from favor, even before the Braided Hair design came along, they were considered heavy, often badly worn or corroded and they were not legal-tender. Afte a while, Merchants began to refuse them, often offering their own store tokens or "Hard Times" tokens in trade.

Vital Stats.

"Braided Hair" One Cent

These unwanted cents didn't go to waste. Using the copper for their projects many found advantageous to purchase cents by the keg (approximately 14,000 pieces!), and melt them down. When copper prices went up in the 1850's one could buy cents for less than raw copper.

It is believed that Gobrecht’s inspiration for the new 1839 design was Benjamin West’s painting, Omnia Vincit Amor (Love Conquers All). The braided hair over Liberty’s brow reflected the famed Empire style (out of date by a decade in Europe but well established in American}.

Braided Hair coins achieved greater uniformity than any of the earlier large cents thanks to the introduction of steam power, advances in hubbing the design into the dies and the use of logotypes or single, four-digit punches to impress dates. This eliminated so many varieties so beloved by copper collectors.

Minor varieties do exist they include: