No Date Fugio Cent - Stars in Rings, Copper New Haven Restrike

Coin Details

Description

Cataloged within the Newman reference system under the New Haven Restrike grouping, this copper restrike features the distinctive "Stars in Rings" reverse design, where small five-pointed stars appear within the individual chain link rings — an ornamental embellishment not found on any production Fugio cent dies from the original 1787 coinage. The Stars in Rings motif makes this restrike variety immediately identifiable among Fugio-related pieces and represents one of the more visually distinctive New Haven restrike types. Produced circa 1858-1860s when Horatio N. Rust obtained access to surviving (or re-cut) Fugio cent dies, New Haven restrikes were struck in limited quantities in various metals for the growing collector market. The copper composition is the standard striking metal for New Haven restrikes, more common than the rare brass, silver, and gold versions but still scarce in absolute terms. The obverse preserves the familiar sundial design with FUGIO and MIND YOUR BUSINESS, while the distinctive reverse transforms the standard thirteen-link chain into a more elaborate decorative composition with the stellar additions within each ring. Rare among New Haven restrike varieties, the Stars in Rings type holds particular appeal for die variety specialists because the unique reverse ornament provides an unambiguous attribution point — there is no possibility of confusing this variety with standard production Fugio cents, as the stars-in-rings feature is exclusive to this restrike die and does not appear on any dies used during the original 1787 contracted coinage.

Rarity Notes

Rare. The Stars in Rings reverse is a distinctive restrike variety.

Cross References

Newman; Stars in Rings, New Haven Restrike, copper