1787 Fugio Cent - St. Uni., Club Rays, Concave

Coin Details

Description

Three distinctive features converge on this 1787 Fugio cent: an abbreviated "States United" legend (St. Uni.), the Club Rays obverse, and a concave or dish-shaped reverse. The concave profile is the most unusual, resulting from die wear, a manufacturing anomaly, or differential metal flow during striking. Club Rays varieties feature thick, blunt sundial rays terminating in club shapes rather than the fine, tapered Pointed Rays design — a major division in Fugio cent classification. The abbreviated "States United" condenses the reversed legend into shortened form, distinguishing this die from those bearing the full inscription. Fugio cents were authorized by Congress on April 21, 1787, designed under Benjamin Franklin's influence, and produced under contract by James Jarvis at New Haven, Connecticut, in copper. The standard design features the sundial with FUGIO and MIND YOUR BUSINESS on the obverse, chain of thirteen links with WE ARE ONE on the reverse. The convergence of abbreviated legend, Club Rays, and concave reverse on a single die combination makes this variety scarce and particularly distinctive for specialists.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. The concave reverse is an unusual feature.

Cross References

Newman; Club Rays, States United abbreviated, concave reverse