Fugio Future!

(update....see picture of my new fugio at end of thread!)

OK.....A few weeks ago, I came across a slabbed Fugio cent (PCGS VF25, N-16) that I just had to have and I agreed with the seller on a layaway plan. It will take me until August to pay and receive the coin. I have some nice pics of this coin, but I won't post them until I have the coin in hand (I am trying hard to show some discipline...if I don't own the coin, no point in putting up pics). Needless to say, I am very excited and think this will be a wonderful coin to add to my small, rather meager collection.

In the meantime, being a Dad to three kids (21, 19, 15), I suggested to one of them (with Mom present to fund the difference) that I would really like for Father's day if they'd all pitch in to buy Eric Newman's new book "United States Fugio Coinage of 1787" and I bookmarked Charles Davis' site for them to use to purchase (geez, just a subtle hint :mouth.

Even though I will only possess one Fugio due to the expense, this book intrigued me especially after reading this excerpt:

"From the awarding of the contract to Jarvis over the superior
proposal of Matthias Ogden, to the illegal distribution of
government copper stock, to Jarvis' failed European sojourn,
to his mumble-mouthed apologies to Congress, to Flint's rise
and fall, the Fugio coppers seemed a cursed coinage, a study
in failure, a comedy of repeated accidents and errors. Has
the Fugio contract coinage experiment succeeded, American
numismatic history may have turned out far different - perhaps
contract coinages would have been the rule, precluding the
founding of a Federal mint. The most powerful men in government
watched the after effects of the Fugio debacle, including
Alexander Hamilton, as a hard-charging attorney on behalf of
the government and Congressional inquisitor, and Thomas
Jefferson, as a commentator against speculators like Duer
and Flint. Both became powerful defenders of the Federal Mint
through many trials and inquiries during its first decade,
suggesting they learned from the embarrassing experiment that
was contract coinage."
http://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v11n11a03.html

So, I think I have a "Fugio Future" - hopefully, the book soon as a bullseye gift and then the precious coin a little later! You have no idea how excited I am.....I think about it every day! Yeehaw!

 

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Can't wait for you to post pictures.

 

What exactly is a fugio cent? I can't wait to see some of the pictures. I am lso guessing they are somewhat rare.

 

Please read this and be fascinated!

http://www.coins.nd.edu/ColCoin/ColCoinIntros/Fugio.intro.html

Tab to page two for their pictures.

 

I've been pining for one of these, myself.
Can't wait for the pics

 

Congratulations! The fugio cent has a beautiful yet simple design with its intertwined links symbolizing the union of the states. A coin in VF 20 or more is a great price. Lets us see it when it comes.
Eduard

 

usually when I leave hints, I still get socks!

 

Same here Frank. LOL

 

Oh....forgot....congrats on your purchase Catbert. Can't wait to see the pics.

 

I don't know that I have ever seen a Fugio cent in hand, or even at a show. So you will have to post pickkies.

 

Update

Two progress points on my latest acquisition to be.

1. Made payment 2 of 3 for my Fugio Cent on layaway, and

2. Received my Father's Day gift in the mail! I've got some reading to do. If you get a Fugio, let me know and I can be your variety resource.

 

Here we go!

I purchased this coin on layaway from Shawn Yancey of earlycoppercoins.com. He's a very nice fellow and I had the opportunity to meet him at Central States a few months ago. These are his pictures:



This is a wild thing to own for me. One always wants to wonder what hands were on this coin!

Yes, there is a very light scratch on the obverse (the picture accentuates this overmuch - very faint in hand). I think it is fairly graded, but I wonder since I've seen others graded the same by PCGS that were not as detailed (sun dial in particular). I will post another fugio that supports that view.

Anyway, this is a rarity 3 coin given the variety (N-16N, die state C) with the die cracks on the reverse. Wonderful!

 

Catbert - Congrats! Very nice Fugio. Im sure it was definitely worth the wait.

 

Gonna have to throw it out if you don't have enough to share with the rest of the class.LMAO I have wanted one of these since I first saw them. I am jealous, congrats! Would probably take me a couple of years worth of layaway to get one though. Have to settle for my Ben Franklin commem for now. Thanks for the post,info and pics.

 

very nice cat..
but you know what this means..
now its time for the chain cent!:hammer:
nice coin
-shawn

 

Congratulations Catbert.....worth the wait.

 

Gorgeous Fugio, CB! :thumb:

Since you only have one and I don't have a N16-N yet, you really should send it to me. hya: My other Fugios can keep it company.

Ribbit

 

:whistle::whistle::whistle::rolling::thumb:

Well I have to saw that must have cost you a bundle i;m surpised that your wife is going a long with it ,your a lucky man .I recently posted my fugio here about a week ago or more ,mine is holed, and has a rareity of 5.

I found mine in and old can of coins my uncle had so i was quite lucky.

The fugio coin is one of the most popular coins that are on a collectors

want list.

I don;t know how many colectors know this it's also in the smithsonian, and you have one. I think it's one coin that will always continue to climb in value ,because there is a demand for them ,whoever can afford them, and there also becoming quite scarce in all varieties. So you have a winner here ,Congrates and i would sleep with it if I was you.


Jazzcoins Joe

 

I'll just have to be happy with my Ben Franklin Commem...

 

You guys are resurrecting an old thread, but thank you for the attention and kind words. Yes, I am quite fond of this coin and think it has a lot of character. Since I first saw this coin type as a kid reading the redbook, I always wanted to have one. Just had to wait a few decades for the opportunity!

By the way, jazzcoins joe, it sleeps in a bank vault!