1787 “Fugio” One Cent, STATES UNITED, 4 Cinquefoils (flower devices), Pointed Rays, authenticated / graded / encapsulated by NGC as Very Fine, VF-30 Brown.  This brief coin series in the key inflection years of the new United States’ history is a key addition to a collection spanning important historical points.  Fugio (Latin for, maybe the best fit, “I am taking off”) cents have been reclassified by major numismatic institutions as the first U.S. coinage, as these were minted from a Federal contract.  At this time, states were also coining coppers, as the pre-Constitution Articles of Confederation granted this power to the states, and the national government established the weights and standards of these.  For all these in circulation, gratefully received at the time, there was some movement as to what these would be – halfpennies or pennies, based on the British system – and the Fugio, by size, came down as a cent and predecessor of the U.S. large cent.

The Fugio cent has a reputation for causing delight throughout its features on both sides.  Although the pure copper planchets had flaws in these pre-U.S. Mint years, the design features made these truly handsome coins.  The sun shines rays down on the obverse (“pointed rays,” in this variety), and the inspiring and pointed motto of “MIND YOUR BUSINESS,” which is wording of a strength that we have not seen since, except for Civil War tokens!  Actually, in the 1700s, the meaning was a bit different, and alluded to just keeping your focus on your affairs so you would succeed.  Still, we could use this now…

“STATES UNITED” is an exotic part of this variety, but might have been that the die engraver just liked starting a legend from right to left in a circle.  The 13 states are represented, not by chains that got the 1793 cent in so much trouble, but by linked circles, surrounding the “WE ARE ONE” motto that also leads an owner/user of this coin to reflect.  These coins even have denticles around the rims.

NGC authenticated and grades this specimen at the VF-30 level, at which the major details are all present, including sundial numbers and mottos, with marking oxidation stains that are mercifully not corrosion.  We are especially proud to offer this early United States (or, er, States United) historical coin for your consideration.