1787 Fugio Cent - Club Rays, Rounded Ends United States

Coin Details

Description

Authorized by the Continental Congress on April 21, 1787, and produced under contract by James Jarvis at his New Haven facility, this Fugio cent combines the distinctive Club Rays obverse with rounded ray terminations and the standard "United States" legend order on the reverse chain design. The Club Rays obverse type features broader, blunter sundial rays compared to the sharply tapered Pointed Rays found on the majority of Fugio cents, and within the Club Rays subgroup this variant is further distinguished by smooth, rounded endings rather than the cinquefoil (five-petaled flower) ornaments that terminate the rays on other Club Rays dies. The obverse sundial bears the inscription FUGIO ("I fly," referring to time) with the date 1787 and the admonition MIND YOUR BUSINESS, while the reverse displays thirteen chain links — one for each original state — encircling the words WE ARE ONE. The "United States" legend order identifies the specific reverse die used, distinguishing it from the scarcer "States United" reverse variant. Cataloged in the Newman reference system for Fugio cents. Struck in copper with specifications that varied across the production run but generally approximating a cent-sized planchet. Classified as moderately scarce, this variety is accessible to colonial specialists building a representative Fugio cent type set. The Fugio cent holds the distinction of being the first coin authorized by the United States government, predating the establishment of the Philadelphia Mint by five years.

Rarity Notes

Moderately scarce.

Cross References

Newman; Club Rays, rounded ends, United States legend