Mintage:
Circulation strikes: 897,510
Proofs: 0

Designer: Robert Scot

Diameter: ±28 millimeters

Metal content:
Copper - 100%

Weight: ±168 grains (±10.9 grams)

Edge: Plain, except for two varieties that have a "Gripped" Edge

Mintmarks: None (all 1797 Large Cents were struck at the Philadelphia Mint)

Images courtesy of Superior Galleries

Varieties (34):
Reverse of 1796, Plain Edge
     Sheldon 120a - Common
     Sheldon 121a - 
     Sheldon NC-1 - 7 known

Reverse of 1796, Gripped Edge
     Sheldon 120b - Very Scarce
     Sheldon 121b - 

Reverse of 1797, Stems
     Sheldon 122 - Rare
     Sheldon 123 - Very Scarce
     Sheldon 124 - Rare
     Sheldon 125 - Rare
     Sheldon 126 - Scarce
     Sheldon 127 - Rare
     Sheldon 128 - Scarce
     Sheldon 129 - Very Rare
     Sheldon 130 - Common
     Sheldon 134 - Very Scarce
     Sheldon 135 - Very Scarce
     Sheldon 136 - Scarce
     Sheldon 137 - Scarce
     Sheldon 138 - Common
     Sheldon 139 - Common
     Sheldon 140 - Common
     Sheldon 141 - Rare
     Sheldon 142 - Rare
     Sheldon NC-2 - Very Rare
     Sheldon NC-3 - Very Rare
     Sheldon NC-4 - 3 known
     Sheldon NC-5 - Very Rare
     Sheldon NC-6 - 2 known
     Sheldon NC-7 - Unique
     Sheldon NC-8 - Unique

Reverse of 1797, Stemless
     Sheldon 131 - Scarce
     Sheldon 132 - Rare
     Sheldon 133 - Rare
     Sheldon 143 - Rare

Recent appearances:
See variety listings

NGC MS-62 Brown.  Ex – American Numismatic Rarities, LLC’s “The Classics Sale,” July 25, 2003 , Lot 114, "Sheldon-135, Rarity-3+", illustrated, sold for $4,600.00

PCGS Fine-15.  Bowers and Merena Galleries' Robert W. Schwan Collection Sale, October 26-27, 2000, Lot 94, "Sheldon-121b, Rev. of 1796, Gripped Edge", not illustrated @ $287.50

Del Bland graded Fine-15.  Ex - Ira & Larry Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, Inc.'s "Benson Collection, Part I", February 16, 18-20, 2001, Lot 296, "Gripped edge, reverse of 1796.  Sheldon-121b, Rarity-3.  Ex: Kagin's Numismatic Auctions #311 5/78:52; Dr. Willard J. Carmel, Jr.; Wes Rasmussen: Early American Coppers 5/96:125; Alan J. Prescott; Early American Coppers 4/99:188."

Net VG-8, sharpness of VF-30, pitted.  Ex - Bowers & Merena Galleries' "The Cabinet of Lucien M. LaRiviere, Part III", May 21, 2001, Lot 1338, illustrated, not sold

Notes:
The finest Brown "Reverse of 1797, Stems" examples graded by PCGS are 2 MS-66BN's.

The finest Red-Brown "Reverse of 1797, Stems" examples graded by PCGS are 2 MS-66RB's.

The finest Brown "Reverse of 1797, No Stems" examples graded by PCGS are 2 MS-62BN's.

The finest Brown "Reverse of 1796, Plain Edge" example graded by PCGS is a single MS-65BN.

The finest Brown "Reverse of 1796, Gripped Edge" example graded by PCGS is a single MS-65BN.

Sources and/or recommended reading:
"The PCGS Population Report, October 2003" by The Professional Coin Grading Service