1798/7 1C, BN (Regular Strike)

**1798/7 1C, BN (Regular Strike) Overview** The 1798/7 1C, BN (Regular Strike) is a sought-after coin among numismatists, representing a fascinating moment in U.S. Mint history. This coin is part of the Draped Bust Large Cent series, noted for its design by Robert Scot, with an attention-grabbing overdate feature. This particular coin is of interest due to its overdate, where the 8 was punched over a previously engraved 7, indicative of the practices at the U.S. Mint during the late 18th century. **Mint & Mintage** The U.S. Mint, founded in 1792, struck the 1798 Draped Bust Large Cents at its Philadelphia facility, the sole mint at the time. The mintage for the 1798 Large Cents was approximately 1,841,745. However, determining the exact number of 1798/7 overdate coins is complex as they are a fraction of the entire mintage, and no specific records were kept for such varieties. **Rarity and Prestige** The rarity of the 1798/7 1C, BN makes it a prized possession among collectors, particularly due to its historical significance and the fact that it’s an overdate variety, which is less common. Coins from this era are generally scarce due to their age and the smaller number of coins that have survived the rigors of circulation and time. **Values and Auction Sales** The value of a 1798/7 1C, BN largely depends on its condition and provenance. The Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) provides a widely accepted grading scale and catalog number for this coin, identified as PCGS #1447. Typical auction sales for this coin vary based on condition: - **Good Condition**: Prices often range from $500 to $1,000. - **Very Fine**: Can fetch between $2,000 and $5,000. - **Extremely Fine to Mint State**: Exceptionally rare at this level, with prices potentially reaching tens of thousands. Exact sales have shown coins in better preserved states achieving higher market values, often crossing the $10,000 threshold, reflecting not only the coin's rarity but also its desirability among advanced collectors. **Historical Context and Numismatic Interest** From a historical perspective, the 1798/7 1C stands as a testament to the early processes of the U.S. Mint, highlighting the intricacies of coin production in the nascent years of the United States. The use of overdated dies underscores the mint's practices of resourcefulness and frugality, as dies were expensive to produce, and thus, reused whenever possible. Numismatists cherish this coin not only for its tangible value but for what it represents—a slice of American history capturing the fledgling country's effort to produce its own currency and foster economic independence. **Additional Insights from CoinFacts** According to CoinFacts, this coin is part of the Sheldon Decimal System (Sheldon 142) within the Early American Large Cents category, further detailing its place in numismatic studies. Enthusiasts leverage resources like PCGS CoinFacts for detailed insights into die varieties, historical significance, and market analysis, making it an indispensable tool for collectors and historians alike.