1797 Reverse of 1797, Stems Draped Bust Large Cent

The 1797 large cent with a Reverse of 1797 and stems shows the wreath with visible stem ends extending below the bow at the base. The stems are the standard feature on this reverse die; the No Stems version represents a different die. Both are contemporary reverses paired with 1797 obverses.

The Stems variety is generally the more common of the two 1797 Reverse of 1797 variants, though the margin varies by Sheldon number. For a collector who simply wants a 1797 Draped Bust large cent, the stems/no-stems distinction is a detail that can be addressed later. For a variety specialist building a complete Sheldon set, it is a separate line item that requires its own acquisition.

Condition and surface quality, as always with early copper, matter more than the specific variety designation for most buyers. A well-struck coin with smooth brown surfaces and minimal problems in Fine is a better purchase than a poorly preserved example in the same grade, regardless of which variety it represents.