Beneath the copper veil of America’s fledgling coinage system lies a piece imbued with the echoes of revolution, economic turbulence, and numismatic anomaly—the 1797 Liberty Cap Half Cent. Produced toward the dusk of the 18th century, this enigmatic relic was minted in surprisingly robust quantities for its class, yet its character and variants make it anything but pedestrian.
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A curious postscript in its tale emerged on April 7, 1799, when Adam Eckfeldt, then Assistant Chief Coiner at the U.S. Mint, released 12,167 half cents bearing the 1797 date—an act both practical and puzzling. This curious issuance has provoked scholarly eyebrow-raises and pedigree debates for centuries since.
The Variant Trifecta
Numismatists recognize three principal varieties of the 1797 Liberty Cap Half Cent, each with eccentricities that elevate them beyond mere metallic tokens. These include bungled numerals, wandering busts, and overgrown denticles—details that breathe chaotic poetry into the cold die steel of the era.
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Among them, the Cohen-3 subgroup fractures further into three edge-specific anomalies, each variation whispering secrets from mismatched dies, reused blanks, and ghostly undertypes.
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“1 Over 1” Variety This variety trumpets a conspicuous overpunched digit—an unmistakable second “1” hovering above the first. A visible stutter of history frozen in copper.
- PCGS MS66RB #32157247: Traced from the fabled Charles I. Bushnell cache through Dr. Claude E. Davis to the prestigious Pogue Collection, this specimen fetched a staggering $223,250 in 2016.
- PCGS MS66BN CAC #27234630: Once resting with coin aristocrats such as Edward Cogan and Virgil Brand, this example entered the ledger at $176,250.
- NGC MS65*BN CAC #5747077-005: James A. Stack’s pride, later part of the Donald G. Partrick treasure trove, brought $156,000 in 2021.
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Other auction juggernauts include Eliasberg, McGuigan, and Reiver pedigrees—each a lyrical descent of ownership cascading through time, some with shattered dies, ghostly undertypes, or the faint blush of reverse spotting.
Centered Head” Rarity
This variety, beloved by purists, flaunts a well-proportioned bust placement and distinguishable long, reed-like denticles.
- PCGS MS66BN #32157248: Cleneay’s heirloom, once part of the Bareford and Newman cabinets, demanded $293,750 in 2016.
- PCGS MS63BN #30451192: Tracing its genealogy to Colonel E.H.R. Green, this piece stood tall at $38,400.
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The Cohen-2s offer copper with rich hues and an unmistakable air of pre-industrial sincerity, the type of texture only time can orchestrate.
Low Head” & Its Eccentric Subtypes
A trifecta within a triptych, Cohen-3 spawns sub-variants defined by their edges—Plain, Lettered, and Gripped—each with its own visual cadence.
- C-3a (Plain Edge): Some overstruck on Talbot, Allum & Lee tokens, bearing vestiges of prior lives beneath their surfaces.
- PCGS AU53 CAC #30451198: From Garrett to McGuigan, this whisper of commerce sold for $63,000.
- C-3b (Lettered Edge): A peculiar blend of formality and ruggedness.
- NGC XF40BN #5747077-014: Breen to Partrick, this piece earned $16,800.
- C-3c (Gripped Edge): Rarest of the rare, no known specimen rises above Very Good.
- NGC VG8BN #5747077-015: Denticles hint at cut-down cents, realized $102,000.
- PCGS G06 #19448625: Unger’s and ESM’s shared artifact commanded $90,000.
Specifications & The Brass Tacks
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Nation | United States of America |
| Year | 1797 |
| Denomination | Half Cent |
| Mint | Philadelphia |
| Mintage | 127,840 |
| Composition | Copper |
| Weight | 5.44 grams |
| Diameter | 23.50 mm |
| Edge | Plain (variant exceptions exist) |
| Designers | Robert Scot (both obv. and rev.) |
| Strike Type | Business |
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The 1797 Liberty Cap Half Cent isn’t merely a collectible; it’s a copper artifact resonating with the friction of expansion, experiment, and imperfection. Each specimen is a syllable in America’s early fiscal language—a language now interpreted by numismatists with white gloves and reverence. These coins, with their fractured dies and whispered pedigrees, demand not just investment, but immersion. To hold one is to touch the trembling fingers of a young republic, just beginning to script its legacy in metal.
FAQs
What is the 1797 Liberty Cap Half Cent?
It’s a rare U.S. coin from 1797, known for its historical significance and unique design.
Why is the 1797 Liberty Cap Half Cent valuable?
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Due to its rarity, historical importance, and unique varieties, it holds high value among collectors.
How many 1797 Liberty Cap Half Cents were minted?
A total of 127,840 coins were minted in 1797, making it a rare find today.
What are the key varieties of the 1797 Liberty Cap Half Cent?
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The coin is known for three main varieties and several sub-varieties, such as the “1 Above 1” error.
Where can I buy a 1797 Liberty Cap Half Cent?
You can find them at numismatic auctions, coin dealers, or specialized collectors’ events.
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