(1860s) Die Trial - Fugio Newman QQ, Reverse

Coin Details

Description

This reverse die trial uses original Fugio cent dies — the historic dies that produced America's first authorized federal coinage in 1787. The Fugio cent, designed under the authority of the Continental Congress, features a sun dial on the obverse with the motto "FUGIO" (Latin for "I fly," referring to time) and "MIND YOUR BUSINESS," while the reverse displays a chain of thirteen links representing the united states with the legend "WE ARE ONE" in the center. The Newman QQ designation comes from Eric P. Newman's exhaustive scholarly work on Fugio cents, in which he cataloged every known die variety using letter pairs. Newman's research, published in his landmark studies, established the definitive classification system for Fugio cent dies and identified numerous restrike and die trial impressions made from the original dies decades after their initial use. This reverse die trial, dated to the 1860s based on its style and provenance, was produced when the original 1787 dies were impressed into blank planchets long after regular Fugio cent production had ceased. The survival of Fugio cent dies into the 19th century — and their use for collector pieces — reflects the growing appreciation for early American numismatic artifacts during the Civil War era, when interest in the nation's founding history surged.

Rarity Notes

Very rare. Die trials from original Fugio cent dies are scarce survivals, with only a limited number of Newman varieties known in restrike or trial form.

Cross References

Newman QQ (Eric P. Newman Fugio cent classification)