In a quandry!

Discussion in 'US Coins Forum' started by KeviniswhoIam, Jan 9, 2026.

  1. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    @KeviniswhoIam Here is my Fugio Cent. It has nice but slightly darker toning. Very nice in hand, not bad in photos.
    The Fugio Coppers were the first coins issued under US authority. They are valued at one cent each. James Jarvis made them under contract in his Connecticut mint. Jarvis obtained the contract with a $10,000 bribe to Col. Duer, Board of the Treasury.
    Congress, ignorant of thy bribe, directed the conditions for what was to be minted on the coins. Each piece of the coins design has a strong meaning. The meridian sun above the sundial shows the meaning of the word Fugio or time flies.
    Jarvis was to mint 345 tons of copper but was only able to produce 11,910 pounds of Fugios or about 554,741 coins. This resulted in his contract being cancelled.
    All Fugio Cents were minted in 1788 but they were back dated to 2787. Abel Buell designed the dies. There are a small number of varieties for this coin.

    Please be aware that the RS Yeoman Red Book does not list any Fugio Cent above the grade of AU. There is a listing for UNC and inly 2 Gold Coins are known to exist. No price is given for them and they are both 1959 restrikes. The 13 circles looped together to represent the 13 original colonies are thinner than the original coins that were struck in the late 1780’s.
    IMG_0592.jpeg IMG_0593.jpeg
     
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  3. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    I was able to get better photos. They show off the colors that I see in hand. I included a closeup of the lamination error in the third photo. You can see another small one to the left of the meridian sun at 11 o’clock. Even the dun has sunglasses on.:)
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  4. KeviniswhoIam

    KeviniswhoIam Well-Known Member

    I will post both of what I bought when I’m home. Turns out the Fugio I picked has character and is pretty recognizable due to a couple charcoal streaks and minor porosity
     
  5. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    Can’t wait to see it!
     
    SensibleSal66 likes this.
  6. lordmarcovan

    lordmarcovan Eclectic numismatist Moderator

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    It does sound like a quandary.

    However, without seeing pix, I lean slightly towards the Fugio.

    One, because I'm after one of those myself, and a MS example would be amazing.

    Two, because with gold being so high right now, maybe you could get your double eagle for less later, if spot price goes down. But then again, who knows if or when spot will go down, and I guess Carson City gold doesn't fluctuate quite as much with bullion prices? (I dunno- that's not an arena I've ever played in.)

    So what did you decide? I guess it is time for me to read the rest of this thread. So far I've only read the OP.

    Edit, after reading the rest: Aha! Fugio, huh? Cool! Looking forward to pix! :)

    Maybe I will get one in 2026. It ain't gonna be MS, though.
     
    Last edited: Jan 13, 2026
  7. KeviniswhoIam

    KeviniswhoIam Well-Known Member

    So here are two of the things I got at FUN. These are simply cellphone snaps of slabs, with a desk lamp, so sorry ahead of time! IMG_9622.jpeg IMG_9621.jpeg IMG_9623.jpeg IMG_9627.jpeg IMG_9625.jpeg IMG_9624.jpeg
     
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