Fugio Cent 1787

THE FIRST US CENT, 1787, THE FUGIO CENT, On April 21, 1787, the Congress of the Confederation of the United States authorized a design for an official copper penny, later referred to as the Fugio cent because of its image of the sun shining down on a sundial with the caption, “Fugio” (Latin: I flee/fly). This coin was reportedly designed by Benjamin Franklin; as a reminder to its holders he put at its bottom the message, “Mind Your Business.” The image and the words form a rebus meaning that “times flies, do your work.” This design was also used on the “Continental dollar” (issued as coins of unknown real denomination, and in paper notes of different fractional denominations) in February 1776. Some historians believe that the word “business” was intended literally here, as Franklin was an influential and successful businessman. Given Franklin’s history publishing aphorisms, it may have been intended to mean both monetary and social business. The reverse side of both on the 1787 coins, bore the third motto “We Are One” (in English) surrounded by thirteen chain links, representing the original thirteen colonial states. Following the reform of the central government with the 1789 ratification of the 1787 Constitution, gold and silver coins transitioned to the motto “E pluribus Unum” from the Great Seal of the United States. These are usually found much worn with irregular details, sometimes struck very weakly by worn dies. We have FOUR new examples: Planchet, free from defects, clear sun’s face and rays, sharp 1787 and FUGIO, MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS, some Roman numerals on sundial, reverse, UNITED STATES and WE ARE ONE sharp at center, sharp 13 chain links, unusually nice reverse, an  average example. Difficult to photograph in holder, better in person