US Half Cent 1797 Capped Bust Fine Details- Plain Edge “1 Above 1” Variety

This 1797 Capped Bust Half Cent is a key example from the early years of U.S. coinage, struck at the Philadelphia Mint during the formative years of the Republic. The obverse features a right-facing Liberty with flowing hair beneath the inscription “LIBERTY,” while the date "1797" is clearly visible beneath her portrait. The reverse displays a laurel wreath surrounding the denomination "HALF CENT" and the fraction "1/200" below, all encircled by "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA."

This specimen is notable for the **"1 Above 1"** variety, where the first digit in the date was re-punched above the original, a known die variety from this issue. It also exhibits a **Plain Edge (PE)**, one of two edge types produced that year (the other being the lettered edge).

Due to its age and environmental wear, detail is considerably smoothed and corrosion is evident. Nonetheless, this coin maintains a strong presence as a genuine artifact of early American coinage.

• Denomination: 1/2 Cent
• Year: 1797
• Diameter: 23.5 mm
• Mint Mark: None
• Thickness: 2.3 mm
• Grade: Ungraded