1797 Nc-1 Cent. How To Attribute?

Why just this one variety? There are plenty of other valuable varieties to choose from.

Anyway. To answer your question, look for the reverse of 1795 (single leaves at the top of each side of the wreath. Then make sure the obverse is not that of the S-120 nor 121. I think BER in LIBERTY are very widely spaced if my memory is correct.

Well I didn't want to make you guys do the work. I've seen many of the rarest Sheldons at shows but never seen a 1797 NC-1 and just got to thinking about it.

If it is visible the easiest way to tell NC-1 and S-121 apart is the B in LIBERTY. On 121 the upper serif is missing, on NC-1 the B is perfectly formed. Another thing you can check is the edge if it has a gripped edge it is 121b. If the edge is plain it is either NC-1 or 121a and either way you want it. (S-120 shares the same reverse but it is easy to spot because the highest wave of hair is slightly right of the center of the R. On NC-1 and 121 it is below the left serif of the upright of the R.) The reason you probably haven't seen the NC-1 is because there are only about 10 of them, I know where 9 of them are and I don't think they are going anywhere any time soon.