Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
M-UN1P-1 |
Object Name |
Coin |
Title |
Fugio Penny |
Artist |
Franklin, Benjamin, attributed |
Date |
1787 |
Description |
Obverse: sun at top sundial at center; "FUGIO 1787 / MIND YOUR BUSINESS." Reverse: 13 entwined rings encircle "UNITED STATES / WE / ARE / ONE." |
Label |
The first coin authorized by the new United States Congress was a one-cent coin. Because there was not yet a government mint, more than one version of the coin was struck. The design (believed to have been suggested by Franklin) shows the sun and a sundial on the obverse, with the words FUGIO (Latin: I fly) and the date 1787. |
Dimensions |
D-0.063 Dia-1.125 inches |
Credit line |
American Philosophical Society. Gift of Arthur Bloch, 11 June 1953. |
Search Terms |
18th century eighteenth century currency Franklin |