Fugio Cents
Base
About This Coin
Fugio cents were the first coins authorized by the United States government, approved by the Continental Congress on April 21, 1787. Designed by Benjamin Franklin, the obverse features a sundial with the Latin word "FUGIO" (meaning "I fly," referring to the passage of time) and the motto "MIND YOUR BUSINESS" (an exhortation to industry). The reverse displays 13 interlocking chain links representing the original states surrounding "WE ARE ONE." The coins were struck by James Jarvis at a mint in New Haven, Connecticut, and by Abel Buell, primarily in copper at approximately 10.2 grams. The series is classified into Pointed Rays and Club Rays groups based on the sundial ray style, with further varieties based on the legend order ("United States" vs. "States United"), ornaments (cinquefoils, stars), and various die characteristics. New Haven restrikes produced circa 1858-1860s in copper, brass, silver, gold, and other metals are collected alongside the original issues. The Newman numbering system is the standard reference for the series.
Specifications
Strike Types & Varieties(44)
(c. 1860s) Fugio Cent - Bushnell Fantasy, Copper
1787 Fugio Cent - 4 Cinq United States
1787 Fugio Cent - 4 Cinq, Raised Rims
1787 Fugio Cent - 8 Pointed Stars
1787 Fugio Cent - 8-Pointed Star States United
1787 Fugio Cent - AM CONG, Copper Hub Impress.
1787 Fugio Cent - American Congress Newman 1-CC
1787 Fugio Cent - Club Rays, Cinquefoil Ends States United
1787 Fugio Cent - Club Rays, Cinquefoil Ends United States
1787 Fugio Cent - Club Rays, FUCIO
1787 Fugio Cent - Club Rays, Rounded Ends
1787 Fugio Cent - Club Rays, Rounded Ends United States
1787 Fugio Cent - Cross After Date Raised Rims
1787 Fugio Cent - FUCIO Misspelling United States
1787 Fugio Cent - Large Letters States United
1787 Fugio Cent - New Haven Restrike, Brass
1787 Fugio Cent - New Haven Restrike, Copper
1787 Fugio Cent - New Haven Restrike, Gold
1787 Fugio Cent - New Haven Restrike, Silver
1787 Fugio Cent - Raised Rims
1787 Fugio Cent - St. Uni., Club Rays, Concave
1787 Fugio Cent - States United
1787 Fugio Cent - States United, 1 Over Horiz. 1
1787 Fugio Cent - States United, 1 Over Horiz. 1 Brunk-M181 R.C. Marble
1787 Fugio Cent - States United, 4 Cinq
1787 Fugio Cent - States United, Cross After Date
1787 Fugio Cent - Uni. Sta., Club Rays, Concave
1787 Fugio Cent - United Above, States Below
1787 Fugio Cent - United States
1787 Fugio Cent - United States, 1 Over Horiz. 1
1787 Fugio Cent - United States, 1 Over Horiz. 1
1787 Fugio Cent - United States, 1 Over Horiz. 1 Brunk-W370 Welles & Wilcox
1787 Fugio Cent - United States, 4 Cinq
1787' Fugio Cent - Uniface Restrike Over Struck
No Date Fugio Cent - American Congress Restrike Copper
No Date Fugio Cent - American Congress Restrike Pewter
No Date Fugio Cent - American Congress, Brass New Haven Restrike
No Date Fugio Cent - New Haven Restrike Newman 105
No Date Fugio Cent - NH Restrike, Uniface Rev. FF On 1798
No Date Fugio Cent - Obverse Die Impression Newman-102, White Metal
No Date Fugio Cent - Reverse Die Impression Newman-GG, White Metal
No Date Fugio Cent - Reverse Hub Impression Newman DD, Lead
No Date Fugio Cent - Reverse Hub Impression Newman FF, Lead
