This US Draped Bust large cent is dated 1797 and was struck in copper at the Philadelphia Mint. The obverse depicts the right-facing profile of Liberty with her hair tied by a ribbon, inscribed with LIBERTY and the date 1797. The reverse shows a laurel wreath enclosing the words ONE CENT, with the peripheral legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. No mint mark is present, as is standard for the Philadelphia Mint during this era. The 1797 issue is a key early date within the Draped Bust series of American copper coinage.
Diameter: 28.6 mm. The coin exhibits heavy circulation wear consistent with a low grade such as Poor to About Good. The surfaces show a dark brown, grainy patina with significant smoothing of the high points and design details. Minor bruising and contact marks are visible along the rims. Despite the heavy wear, the date and primary legends remain discernible.