1797 C-2 R3 VG7. Struck over Spoiled Large Cent. Sharpness F12 but the reverse is covered with uniform fine granularity. The obverse is mostly smooth but there are traces of microscopic roughness, particularly in an arc through LIBERTY extending near the dentils to just below the cap. The obverse is a predominately glossy chocolate brown while the reverse is matte dark steel and olive. Struck over a spoiled off center large cent with the RIC of AMERICA and the accompanying dentils clearly visible in the field before the portrait. However, there is no trace of cent undertype on the reverse. The large cent undertype has been attributed to the S-128 die variety (see Breen page 182 and Manley pages 75 & 76). However, this cataloger can't be sure of the attribution other than to state with complete certainty that the undertype is from the reverse of a large cent that may have been a 1797 S-128. Everything fits for S-128, so that's a good guess. The reverse is rotated 10 degrees CCW. Breen mistakenly determined that this piece die not have the die crack at UNI to the dentils under the fraction, and he used that information to list an uncracked reverse die state for the variety which confuses the emission sequence. The crack is present, although it is obscured by the granularity. Cohen and Manley were correct, Breen was wrong on this one. Weight 75.8 grains. Davy #97.2.5.
Estimated Value $1,000-UP.
Ex Dr. Charles L. Ruby, Superior 2/11/1974:1987 (where plated)-University of Wisconsin Sale, Superior 10/3/1977:134.
Selections from the Davy Collection of US Half Cents Part 2
