What This Coin Looks Like (Obverse, Reverse, Mint Mark Location, Special Features, etc.): One major variety of the 1839/6 Coronet Head Large Cent (Penny) includes the "Head Of 1836" design of the portrait of lady liberty on the obverse of the coin. This is the oldest design of the 1839 varieties which features the liberty portrait used in 1836. The most notable feature to distinguish this variety from the others is the cords on the back of the liberty's hair are "plain cords". The newer designs featured "beaded cords". In addition: This variety is also an 1839/6 overdate error in which the 1839 date was struck over an 1836 date which resulted in part of the underlying "6" being visible within the leading "9" as depicted by the arrow in the example image above. This is by far the rarest and most valuable 'major' variety in the entire Coronet Head Large Cent series.
Depicted below is an example image showing the differences and comparisons between all 4 varieties of the 1839 large cent. Note how the hair line changes relative to the "LIBERTY" crown and the style of the hair. Also note the additional features unique to each variety pointed out by the arrows. Click the image to enlarge:
Coin Value Chart: Typical Coin Prices, Values and Worth in USD based on Grade/Condition