The fugio cent earned its name from the caption fugio above an image of the sun shining on a sundial. We, here at tudor coins, buy only quality circulated and uncirculated coins and currency that we pass on to you knowing that the article is genuine. Fugio cent first united states coin monaco rare coins. According to, the first onecent coin was struck in 1787 by a private mint. Well struck with lustrous even chocolate surfaces and strong eye appeal. The legends on this coin are credited to benjamin franklin and sometimes referred to as the franklin cent. Mar 01, 2017 the history of the fugio is so cool and they cost so much for a real one we had to get one to keep around as a reminder of bens wit an wisdom and to remember to always have fun doing this. United states fugio copper coinage of 1787 by eric newman eric newmans united states fugio copper coinage of. Im trying to find out what the first us coinage authorized by congress was. The influx of counterfeit and lightweight coppers in circulation was a serious problem that hurt both laborers and small. They were the first coins issued under the authority of the united states, a full two years before.
Its design is very similar to a 1776 continental currency dollar coin that was produced in pattern pieces as potential continental currency but. Discussion in whats it worth started by kfill, apr 8, 2015. Continental congress of the confederation passed a resolution on april 21, 1787, for the contract coining of a national copper cent. As a young man, abel buell got caught counterfeiting five pound notes.
It contains a history of the coin, including the 1859 new haven restrikes, thorough variety identifications with rarities, errors, a reprint of the original 1949 publication and bibliographical references. Congress passed a resolution on april 21, 1787 to produce the first u. Mar 27, 2019 today the fugio cent is, in a way, a collectors bargain. This coin was issued by authority of congress in 1787. The first coins issued by the authority of the united states were the fugio cents, called so because of the word fugio latin for time flies on them. This is more commonly referred to as united states, 4 cinq within the numismatic community. The coins were forgotten about until they were rediscovered in 1856, this time at the banks current location. This coin, known as the fugio cent, was 100 percent copper and this composition would continue until the mid1800s. Also, like the massachusetts coppers, they were denominated as cents, that is a decimal coin based on one hundred to the spanish milled dollar. That penny, called a fugio cent, is a onecent coin that remains popular today as a collector coin. They were the first coins issued under the authority of the united states, a full two years before the u. A convicted counterfeiter and a connecticut slave made the first u.
Review the total fugio cents 1787 pcgs graded coin population, including varieties, and shop results from dealers and ebay. Roger siboni submitted these thoughts on a recent acquisition a bank of new york fugio cent encased in lucite. These pieces are hard to find and very collectible. Find the current fugio cents values by year, coin varieties, and specific grade. Fugio is latin for i fly the sun and the hour sundial was to convey time. The fugio cent, also known as the franklin cent, is the first official circulation coin of united. I was lucky enough to recently find a very nice original, in the box, with enclosed fugio history book, and related ephemera bank of new york lucite fugio cent on ebay. Fugio cents first edition the fugio cents by alan kessler 1976 1976 first edition hardcover book, the fugio cents by alan kessler, choice near mint. Jul 08, 2015 collector ray rouse tells the story of the 1787 fugio cent, one of americas earliest experiments in circulating coinage.
The first coin minted by ben franklin fugio replica youtube. However, it didnt see the same kind of widespread use as the onecent coins struck by the u. As punishment, authorities cut off the top of his ear and branded his forehead with the letter. We focus on early american coppers from 1787 to 1857 including fugio coppers, half cents and large cents. We also major on civil war dated coins of 1861 to 1865. It contains a history of the coin, including the 1859 new.
Compared to the more famous 1793 chain cent, the prices are almost modest. Continental currency dollar obverse with inscriptions fugio and mind. Was the fugio cent the first coin authorized by congress. The book is a hard bound, 168page with color enlargements, quarto volume. The first coins struck were essentially experimental coins and include the 1792 silver center cent, the 1792 birch cent and the 1792 half disme pronounced like the word steam but with a d. How a slave and a counterfeiter made the fugio cent, the. Fugio cents introduction coin and currency collections. This specimen has stronglystruck, bold lettering and features in some areas, but weak ones in other areas. Selling early american coppers and us coins 1861 to 1865. Fugio cent pcgs certified us colonial coins for sale ebay. A chain with links, each representing one of the original colonies, encircles the motto we are one on the reverse. Collector ray rouse tells the story of the 1787 fugio cent, one of americas earliest experiments in circulating coinage. A pleasing example of the first coin issued by the authority of the. Benjamin franklin reportedly designed the first american penny in 1787.
It is generally known as the franklin cent, but should properly called the rittenhouse cent, if named after any individual. The history of the american penny in 1787, congress issued the first iteration of the american penny, which was reportedly designed by none other than benjamin franklin himself. Up for auction is a 1950s era becker restrike fugio cent. So franklins message was that time flies by so you should. Eric newmans united states fugio copper coinage of 1787 is a longawaited and welcome addition to the literature of u. First edition the fugio cents alan kessler 1976 dec 11. Today the fugio cent is, in a way, a collectors bargain. A resolution of july 6th stated the penny obverse would have the sun and a sundial with the legend fugio i fly, the date, and the legend mind your. The fugio cent, a hard currency, was later authorized by congress in. Perfect for a collection or to compare to an original. Mind your business on the fugio cents did not have the modern meaning. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months new customers receive 15% off your first box.
As one of the coins listed in the critically acclaimed book. About two and a half months later they agreed on a design. Jun 04, 2019 in 1787, the fugio cent was the first us coin to be authorized by congress and minted. Its design is very similar to a 1776 continental currency dollar coin that was produced in pattern pieces as potential continental currency but was never circulated.
In 1787, franklin designed the fugio cent fugio means i fly, as in, time. The back features thirteen links of chain for the thirteen original states, around the words we are one. In sum, fugio coppers circulated in 1787, to the extent that they circulated at all, as pieces equivalent to british halfpennies 124 shillings and not as one cent coins, a denomination which. A pleasing example of the first coin issued by the authority of the united states. This barcode number lets you verify that youre getting exactly the right version or edition of a book. I was lucky enough to recently find a very nice original, in the box, with enclosed fugio history book. Over 400,000 fugio cents, which meant time flies, were minted, but never saw much use. Mint opened for fulltime coin production in 1793, and the onecent coin was among the very first coins struck at the u. The fugio cent, also known as the franklin cent, is the first official circulation coin of united states. Referred to informally as the franklin and eventually as the fugio cent, this penny prominently featured the sayings mind your business and we are.
The fugio cent, struck only in 1787, was one of the most historic and important issues of the colonial period. Sometime in 1788, a keg of fugio cents were acquired by the bank and stored in the basement. Fugio definition and meaning collins english dictionary. Newman numismatic portal at washington university in st. The phrase, which came from benjamin franklin, met work hard at your business or occupation and succeed. Nov 04, 2018 mind your business on the fugio cents did not have the modern meaning. The fugio cents were struck on a device called a drop press. The first circulated coin by the new american federal government. Nov 29, 2009 on 761787, the board of treasury directed the contractor for the copper coin to stamp on one side of each piece. Actually, there are several differences between this coin in the original fugio series. Fugio cents 1787 coins for sale on collectors corner. Colonial coinage fugio coppers are not onecent coins. The fugio cent, also known as the franklin cent,12 is the first official. Winning bidder will receive the actual item that is pictured.
How a slave and a counterfeiter made the fugio cent, the 1st. Franklins own copy of the book was a german publication from mainz. Get the best deals on fugio cent us colonical coins when you shop the largest online selection at. We, here at tudor coins, buy only quality circulated. The history of the fugio is so cool and they cost so much for a real one we had to get one to keep around as a reminder of bens wit an wisdom and to remember to always have fun doing. The fugio cent was the first coinage issued on authority of the united states and was only made in 1787. Known as the fugio cent, it bears the image of a sun and sundial above the message mind your business. In 1787, the fugio cent was the first us coin to be authorized by congress and minted. I have been looking for one of these in this kind of original condition for literally years. United states fugio copper coinage of 1787 by eric newman eric newmans united states fugio copper coinage of 1787 is a longawaited and welcome addition to the literature of u. Our items for sale are presented in pdf text lists with attribution, grade traditionaleac, third party, or both, and price.
The onecent coin, or the penny, was the first currency authorized by the united states. How a slave and a counterfeiter made the fugio cent, the 1st u. Sometime in 1788, a keg of fugio cents were acquired by the. I just got this coin back from certification and i have looked at values from several different. The bank of new york hoard is the name given to identify a treasure trove of several thousand fugio cents that were discovered at the bank. Pcgs set registry fugio cents with major varieties 1787. Certainly our history books can devote more than a few pages to his service to the. Collector ray rouse tells the story of the 1787 fugio cent, one of americas earliest.
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