1797 1/2C C-2 PE Centered Head, RD (Regular Strike)

The Centered Head 1797 Half Cent is the nicest looking variety of the year. The 1/1 has a distracting repunching of the first 1 of the date and often shows die cracking and bulging and/or lots of undertyope from the Talbot, Allum & Lee Cents upon which many of them were overstruck. The Low Head, Lettered Edge, and Gripped Edges (all variants of the C-3 variety) rarely come nice and often come crudely made. Thus, for type purposes, the 1797 Centered Edge Half Cent is the collector's preferred choice. Unfortunately, this variety does not come as nice as the 1/1, so high-quality examples will fetch a hefty premium.

The PCGS CoinFacts Condition Census for this variety is misleading because few exampes have passed through PCGS' hands. As far back as 1982, Roger Cohen listed two Uncs., 4 AU's, and 2 EF's in the Census. Today, the populations might be a little higher and judged a little less harshly. However, suffice it to say that any example of this variety in grades above EF is a real prize.

No Red-Brown or Red examples are known of this variety.