(I have originally posted this thread in "Coin Chat" but thought that it would fit better here. Sorry for the double post.) I have just discovered, with a little over 24 hours left of my listed auctions, that the 1797 Half Cent I have is a "1 above 1" variety. Would that make it a rarer variety for that date and coin? I've discovered it by looking at my own higher resolution photos (which has also been posted).
No, I don't think it's a "rarer" variety. Mr. Cohen's Half Cent book lists 5 varieties (C1, C2, C3a, C3b & C3c) for this date. Your coin would be the C1 and is a rarity "R-2". Varieties C2 & C3a are rarities "R-3". Variety C3b is a rarity "R-4" and C3c is a rarity "R-7". So, your variety is the most common one for this date.
From the tone of your post, it seems that I may have offended you with my post somehow? Your response was completely voluntary, there is no pressure involved. But thank you for the information!
No way was I offended, quite the opposite. I just got my Half Cent book in the mail a couple of days ago and this is the first opportunity I've had to help someone out. Didn't mean any slight.
