No Date Fugio Cent - NH Restrike, Uniface Rev. FF On 1798

Coin Details

Description

Combining multiple layers of numismatic complexity, this New Haven restrike was struck from reverse hub impression FF onto a planchet fashioned from a 1798 Draped Bust large cent, producing a uniface piece that shows only the reverse design — the thirteen chain links surrounding the WE ARE ONE motto — while the host coin's original design may be partially visible on the unstruck side. Referenced in the Newman catalog as reverse hub impression FF, the piece documents the restrike operations conducted circa 1858 to the 1860s when collectors and dealers used original or copied Fugio cent dies recovered from the defunct New Haven coining facility. The choice of a 1798 large cent as the overstrike host is particularly significant because it provides a terminus post quem (earliest possible date) for the restrike's production and demonstrates the willingness of restrike producers to sacrifice existing collectible coins as planchet material — the 1798 large cent was already sixty years old and potentially numismatically valuable when it was consumed for this purpose. The uniface nature of the piece indicates that only one die was used, suggesting either that the obverse die was unavailable or that the producer deliberately created a single-sided impression to showcase a specific die design. Very rare, overstrikes on dated host coins are particularly desirable for their provenance value, as the host coin's identifiable date and type create a documented manufacturing timeline that purely blank-planchet restrikes cannot provide.

Rarity Notes

Very rare. Overstruck on a dated host coin, making it particularly desirable for its provenance.

Cross References

Newman FF (reverse hub impression)