1797 Liberty Cap Half Cents : 1 Above 1 - Plain Edge

What This Coin Looks Like (Obverse, Reverse, Mint Mark Location, Special Features, etc.):

One major variety of the 1797 Liberty Cap Half Cent (Penny) features a number "1" above the normal "1" in the 1797 date and also has a plain edge. An example of this error is depicted in the image above. This was the result of the engraver making a mistake by first punching the number "1" too high and then realizing it was too high. Rather than throwing the die out - the engraver simply punched the date lower and leave the error where it was. Nowadays a die with a mistake on it would simply be thrown out. Although back in 1797 the die steel was too expensive and too much labor went into making a new one - So throwing out a perfectly good die was unacceptable.

Coin Value Chart: Typical Coin Prices, Values and Worth in USD based on Grade/Condition. Numismatic portion of the values last updated February 2026, precious metal portion of the values is updated live!

Good (G-4)	Very Good (VG-8)	Fine (F-12)	Very Fine (VF-20)	Extremely Fine (EF-40)	About Uncirculated (AU-50)	Uncirculated (MS-60)	Uncirculated (MS-65)	Proof (PR-65)
$612	$790	$1,444	$2,496	$4,940	$7,809	-	-	-

USA Coin Book Estimated Value of 1797 Liberty Cap Half Cent (1 Above 1 - Plain Edge Variety) is Worth $790 in Average Condition, and more in higher condition. Click here to Learn How to use Coin Price Charts. Also, click here to Learn About Grading Coins. The Melt Value shown below is how Valuable the Coin's Metal is Worth (bare minimum value of coin). Click here to see the Melt Value of every US Coin.


MELT VALUE: $0.0969