Lot 12-210. Colonial. Fugio Cent. 1787. CU Penny. 1787. Scarce.

Colonial. Fugio Cent. 1787. CU Penny (28.4 mm, 7.88 g, 6 h). 1787. Scarce. *FUGIO* *1787*, MIND YOUR BUSINESS, Sun and rays above sundial / UNITED STATES / WE ARE ONE, thirteen interlocking rings. W 6549; Newman 15Y. aVF. 

The Fugio cent or first penny was issued on 1787, under the authority of the Continental Congress of the United States. Following the decision of some states to mint their own copper coins, the Continental Congress passed a resolution dated April 21st, 1787, for the contract coining of a national copper cent.Some months later, a design was agreed upon. A resolution dated July 6th, 1787 stated the penny obverse would have the sun and a sundial with the legend “FUGIO”, the date, and the motto “MIND YOUR BUSINESS”. The reverse would contain thirteen linked circles (representing the original thirteen colonial states) with the legends “WE ARE ONE” and “UNITED STATES.” This same design had been identically used in the first national fractional currency dated February 17th, 1776 and the 1776 Continental Currency “Dollar”. The coin was designed by Benjamin Franklin.This penny is made of pure copper, believed to be provided by Paul Revere, an American silversmith and a patriot of the American Revolution.

 

Estimate:

$  1,100.00

Final Price:

$ 750.00 (2 bid(s))
Approximately EUR 0.00 / GBP 0.00

$  ( bid(s))
Approximately EUR / GBP

Time remaining:

Bidding closed (Tuesday, 24 Jun 2014, 13:44:30)
Current time: Sunday, September 22nd, 02:28:48