As of May, 2024, a 1797 Half Cent Lettered Edge, BN in circulated condition is worth between $875.00 and $77,500.00, depending on its grade and strike quality.

Looking back at auction records, the highest price was achieved by a Fine and Very Fine grade that was hammered at $41,400.00 in the 09/14/2008 by renowned auctioneer Goldberg Auctioneers, showcasing the allure of top-tier rarities.

Designer: John Smith Gardner
Edge: Lettered: TWO HUNDRED FOR A DOLLAR
Diameter: 23.50 millimeters
Weight: 5.44 grams
Mintage: 127,840
Mint: Philadelphia
Metal: Copper
Series: Liberty Cap Right Half Cents 1794-1797

1797 Half Cent Lettered Edge, Bn (Regular Strike) – Price Chart

If you are aware of your coin’s grade, refer to the following chart to determine its value:

GradePrice($)
XF-4577,500.00
XF-4035,000.00
VF-3520,000.00
VF-3018,000.00
VF-2515,000.00
VF-2013,750.00
F-158,500.00
F-126,500.00
VG-105,000.00
VG-83,000.00
G-62,150.00
G-41,850.00
AG-3875.00

If you are unsure of the grade, you can assess it based on the coin’s condition. More detailed information here.

GradeLowest Price($)Highest Price($)Average Price($)
Extremely Fine35,000.0077,500.0056,250.00
Fine and Very Fine6,500.0020,000.0013,625.00
Good and Very Good1,850.005,000.003,000.00
Poor, Fair, and About Good875.00875.00875.00

Please note that the estimated values are derived from the latest data in the PCGS Price Guide and are not guaranteed to be 100% accurate. We strongly recommend reviewing actual auction records, which can be filtered by grade. For further insights, refer to our analysis report, which is based on these data.

Also, there are multiple versions of the 1797 Liberty Cap Half Cent. We recommend checking the values of these coins as well to ensure a comprehensive assessment.

Coin NameMin Circulated Price($)Max Circulated Price($)Min Uncirculated Price($)Max Uncirculated Price($)
1797 Half Cent 1 Above 1, BN (Regular Strike)250.0023,000.0024,500.00260,000.00
1797 Half Cent Plain Edge, BN (Regular Strike)350.0032,500.0035,000.00375,000.00
1797 Half Cent Low Head, Plain Edge, BN (Regular Strike)350.0082,500.00225,000.00225,000.00
1797 Half Cent Gripped Edge, BN (Regular Strike)95,000.00225,000.00N/AN/A
1797 Half Cent C-3c Gripped Edge, BN (Regular Strike)85,000.00120,000.00N/AN/A
1797 Half Cent C-1, 1 Above 1, BN (Regular Strike)200.0020,000.0022,000.00300,000.00
1797 Half Cent C-3b LE Low Head, BN (Regular Strike)875.00100,000.00N/AN/A
1797 Half Cent C-1, 1 Above 1, RB (Regular Strike)N/AN/A185,000.00400,000.00
1797 Half Cent C-2 PE Centered Head, BN (Regular Strike)300.0027,500.0031,500.00375,000.00
1797 Half Cent C-3a PE Low Head, BN (Regular Strike)1,100.0090,000.00225,000.00225,000.00

Coins listed have various mint marks and designations indicating where they were minted and if they are special strikes. To learn more about what the different mint marks and designations mean, please refer to our Mint Mark Chart and Coin Designation Reference Chart.

1797 Half Cent Lettered Edge, Bn (Regular Strike) – Auction Chart & Report

This tool is very user-friendly. Simply select the coin grade, and our system will provide detailed information including:

  • Lowest Sale Price
  • Highest Sale Price
  • Average Sale Price
  • Most Recent Sale Price
  • Number of Sales
  • Sales Volume

You can also select different time periods for your query: 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, or All time, with the default set to All time.

Grade:
1m 6m 1y 3y All

$822.50

Lowest Sale Price
$8,913.00

Highest Sale Price
$3,012.25

Average Sale Price
$822.50

Most Recent Sale Price
6

Number of Sales
$18,073.50

Sales Volume

Grade Impact Analysis

GradeLowest Price($)Highest Price($)Average Price($)
VF-3517,250.0017,250.0017,250.00
VF-306,600.0022,000.0014,333.33
VF-2512,000.0041,400.0027,000.00
VF-2011,400.0012,650.0011,946.00
F-12822.508,913.003,012.25
VG-101,440.007,638.003,749.50
VG-8825.001,064.00944.50
G-627.502,760.001,667.50
G-41,150.001,560.001,401.67
AG-3235.003,450.001,855.75
PO-1207.002,990.001,385.75

The chart shows the min and max prices for the 1797 Half Cent Lettered Edge, BN (Regular Strike) coin across various grades from PO-1 to VF-35. The prices generally increase as the grade improves, with VF-25 having the highest max price $41,400.00.

Within each grade, there is also variability in prices, likely due to factors like specific coin characteristics or market conditions at time of sale. Overall, the chart illustrates how coin grade is a key driver of value for this particular 1797 Half Cent Lettered Edge, BN (Regular Strike).

Auction House Comparison

The pie chart breaks down the market share of various auction houses for selling the 1797 Half Cent Lettered Edge, BN (Regular Strike) coin. Heritage Auctions dominates with 26.32% share, followed by Stack's Bowers / Superior Galleries with 18.42% / 15.79% appearances respectively..

Price Trend Over Time

The graph presents a detailed analysis of the average annual auction sale price and frequency for the 1797 Half Cent Lettered Edge, BN (Regular Strike) coin over the years. This visual representation traces the coin's value fluctuations, illustrating periods of increase, decrease, or stability in its average auction price.

Such a historical view is indispensable for collectors, investors, or researchers who are keen on comprehending the market dynamics and the coin's value trend over an extended period.

Raw Auction Records

Here are the lasted auction records from the auction history of the past years. You can filter these records by coin grade.

GradeGrade SourceSellerPrice($)Sold Date
VF-25PCGSStack's Bowers12,000.0011/30/2021
VG-10PCGSStack's Bowers1,440.0011/30/2021
VF-30PCGSStack's Bowers14,400.0003/25/2020
VF-20PCGSStack's Bowers11,400.0003/25/2020
VG-10PCGSStack's Bowers3,995.0003/30/2016
PO-1PCGSStack's Bowers1,081.0011/08/2013
VG-10NGCHeritage Auctions7,638.0011/01/2013
F-12PCGSStack's Bowers822.5006/29/2012
VG-10NONEMcCawley & Grellman1,925.0005/12/2012
F-12NONEGoldberg Auctioneers8,913.0009/06/2011
PO-1NONEGoldberg Auctioneers2,990.0009/06/2011
G-6PCGSBonhams & Butterfields1,755.0005/30/2010
G-6NONEGoldberg Auctioneers2,645.0009/06/2009
F-12NONEBowers & Merena2,070.0006/01/2009
VF-25NONEGoldberg Auctioneers41,400.0009/14/2008
G-4NONEHeritage Auctions1,495.0005/29/2008
AG-3NCSHeritage Auctions1,093.0005/28/2008
AG-3ANACSHeritage Auctions235.0004/16/2007
VF-35NGCHeritage Auctions17,250.0001/01/2006
G-6ANACSHeritage Auctions1,150.0011/07/2005
PO-1NONEAmerican Numismatic Rarities1,265.0009/18/2005
G-4NONESuperior Galleries1,560.0002/20/2005
F-12NONEStack's2,300.0009/21/2004
PO-1NONEHeritage Auctions207.0001/31/2004
G-6NONEAmerican Numismatic Rarities2,760.0009/13/2003
VF-20NONESuperior Galleries12,650.0005/27/2003
VG-8ANACSHeritage Auctions1,064.0005/05/2003
VF-25NONESuperior Galleries27,600.0006/02/2002
G-4NONEBowers & Merena1,150.0011/29/2001
VF-20NONESuperior Galleries11,788.0010/01/2001
AG-3NONESuperior Galleries2,645.0002/17/2001
AG-3NONESuperior Galleries3,450.0002/17/2001
F-12NONEHeritage Auctions2,875.0010/01/2000
F-12NONEHeritage Auctions1,093.0001/08/2000
VF-30NONEBowers & Merena22,000.0005/20/1996
VG-8NONEBowers & Merena825.0010/01/1987
VF-30NONEBowers & Merena6,600.0010/01/1987
G-6NONENumismatic Gallery27.5005/01/1941