1787 Fugio Cent - States United, Cross After Date

Coin Details

Description

Pairing two distinctive die features, this Fugio cent variety bears a small cross punched into the obverse die immediately after the date "1787" and a reverse with the transposed "States United" legend — the reversal of the standard "United States" word order. The cross after the date serves as a deliberate die identification marker, a small symbol punched by the die sinker to distinguish this particular obverse die from others in production, and it provides a quick diagnostic point for variety attribution. The "States United" reverse legend order is itself the scarcer of the two arrangements found on Fugio cent reverse dies, and its combination with the cross-marked obverse creates a specific die pairing that collectors can positively identify through two independent features. The Fugio cent was authorized by the Continental Congress on April 21, 1787, and produced under contract by James Jarvis at his New Haven facility. The obverse sundial design bears FUGIO and MIND YOUR BUSINESS, while the reverse displays thirteen interlocking chain links surrounding WE ARE ONE. Cataloged within the Newman reference system. Struck in copper with specifications that varied across the production run. The rarity notes classify this as scarce and highlight the cross after date as a distinctive die marker. For Fugio cent specialists, the convergence of the cross die marker and the "States United" legend reversal makes this variety a noteworthy addition to any die variety collection, as it documents two separate decisions made during the die production process — the cross punching on the obverse and the legend transposition on the reverse.

Rarity Notes

Scarce. The cross after date is a distinctive die marker.

Cross References

Newman; States United, cross after date variety