How to Find a 1787 Fugio Cent Rare Variety

The Fugio cent holds a unique place in American numismatics: it’s widely considered the first coin struck under the authority of the United States government. Most Fugio cents are collectible but reasonably attainable—but a handful of die varieties, along with a set of later “restrikes” that aren’t originals at all, command significant premiums and require careful attention.

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What makes the 1787 Fugio cent important to collectors?

Congress authorized the Board of Treasury to contract for 300 tons of copper coinage in a resolution dated April 21, 1787, and awarded the contract to Connecticut coiner James Jarvis, whose operation was based in New Haven — a history documented in PCGS CoinFacts’s overview of the Fugio cent and in CoinWeek’s coverage of early American coinage. The resulting coin, popularly called the Fugio cent (and sometimes the “Franklin cent,” for its design’s traditional association with Benjamin Franklin), carries one of the most memorable designs in American coinage: a sundial beneath a shining sun, the Latin word “FUGIO” (“I fly” or “I flee,” a reference to time passing), and the pointed motto “MIND YOUR BUSINESS” below. The reverse shows thirteen linked rings representing the original states, encircling the phrase “WE ARE ONE.”

Within the basic Fugio cent design, numismatists have cataloged a range of die varieties, some considerably scarcer than others. Per PCGS and NGC variety references, these include differences in how “UNITED” and “STATES” are arranged on the reverse (some varieties read “STATES UNITED” instead of “UNITED STATES”), an obverse legend reading “AMERICAN CONGRESS” instead of the standard wording, a variety with a misspelled “FUCIO” instead of “FUGIO,” and the “Club Rays” variety, in which the rays extending from the sun end in club-like, blunted tips rather than the more common pointed rays—one of the more sought-after die varieties in the series. These are genuine die varieties because each one repeats consistently across every coin struck from the affected die pair, not a one-off flaw on a single piece; a coin with rounded, uneven, or inconsistent ray tips that doesn’t match the documented Club Rays die is more likely showing wear or striking weakness than the variety itself.

Separately, and importantly not to be confused with genuine 1787-struck varieties, a set of pieces known as “New Haven restrikes” were produced around 1859 by Horatio N. Rust using newly created dies that recreated the original design—not the original 1787 dies themselves, which is why serious numismatists consider “restrike” a loose term for these pieces, as PCGS CoinFacts and CoinWeek both note in their cataloging of the issue. They were struck in copper, brass, silver, and even gold for the mid-19th-century collector market; only two examples are known in gold. Despite not being genuine 18th-century originals, these pieces have been actively collected since the 1860s and carry their own established market.

How to identify a 1787 Fugio cent variety

Careful attention to the reverse wording, sun-ray design, and overall date and die characteristics separates common Fugio cents from their scarcer varieties—and genuine 1787 originals from later restrikes.

Check the reverse wording

Compare “UNITED STATES” against “STATES UNITED” in the ring border text, and note any legend variations on the obverse, such as “AMERICAN CONGRESS” in place of the standard wording. These wording differences define several of the recognized varieties.

Examine the sun’s rays

On most Fugio cents, the rays extending from the sun above the sundial are pointed. The “Club Rays” variety instead shows blunted, club-like ray tips—a specific, collectible die variety in its own right.

Distinguish genuine 1787 originals from New Haven restrikes

New Haven restrikes were struck from newly cut dies around 1859, not the original 1787 dies, and exist in copper, brass, silver, and (in only two known cases) gold. A silver or gold Fugio cent is automatically a 19th-century restrike rather than a genuine 1787 original, since the originals were struck only in copper. Beyond composition, PCGS and NGC attribution guides note that the New Haven dies differ in specific design and lettering details from the 1787 originals, which is part of how the two are told apart even in copper. Certification from a major grading service will confirm which category a given coin falls into.

Weigh wear and surface condition against a genuine 18th-century strike

Genuine 1787 Fugio cents were struck on relatively primitive equipment and often show uneven strikes, planchet flaws, and porosity even on lightly circulated examples — this is normal for the issue, not necessarily damage. What is not normal is a coin whose devices look mushy or swollen in a way consistent with a worn, re-cut, or spurious die rather than honest circulation wear; a doubtful or unusually sharp “original” should be compared against certified, published examples before being accepted at face value.

Buying considerations

Certified versus raw coins

Given the number of recognized varieties and the existence of later restrikes, certification from PCGS or NGC—with the specific variety attribution noted on the holder—is valuable for anything beyond a common, generic Fugio cent. Verify the certification number through the grading service’s website.

Understanding grades

Most surviving Fugio cents show real circulation wear, consistent with a coin that genuinely circulated as money in the late 18th century. Compare remaining detail in the sundial, sun, and linked-ring design, along with surface quality, marks, and corrosion, which is common on copper coins of this age.

Problem coins

Cleaning, corrosion, environmental damage, porosity, and planchet flaws are common on surviving 18th-century copper coins, including Fugio cents. A details-graded example can be a more affordable way to own the date and design, but understand the specific problem and price accordingly.

Authentication and seller information

Confirm whether a listing describes a genuine 1787-struck coin or a later New Haven restrike—these are different products with different values, and reputable listings should distinguish them clearly. Review both sides of the coin in the listing photographs, and verify any variety attribution against the certification.

Suggested search terms and filters

Begin with a broad search: “1787 Fugio Cent” or “Fugio Cent.”

Then narrow by:

• By variety: “Club Rays,” “States United,” “United States,” or specific Newman variety numbers
• By certification: PCGS, NGC, or “certified Fugio cent”
• To exclude restrikes (if you want a genuine 1787 original): search “original” or explicitly exclude “New Haven restrike”
• If you specifically want a New Haven restrike: search “New Haven restrike Fugio”

Availability and pricing notes

Common-variety Fugio cents in circulated grades are reasonably available and affordable relative to other colonial-era American coins. Rarer die varieties, like Club Rays, and coins in higher grades command significant premiums. New Haven restrikes, while not genuine originals, have their own established collector market and pricing, generally separate from and often lower than genuine 1787 originals in comparable grade—though rare restrike compositions like the two known gold examples are themselves significant rarities.

GetCoinHunt does not guarantee that every listing is authentic, accurately graded, correctly attributed to variety, or fairly priced. Authentication, grading, and fulfillment remain the responsibility of the dealer or marketplace offering the coin.

How the GetCoinHunt wishlist alert works

1. Search for the coin. Enter “1787 Fugio Cent” to search participating dealer inventory.
2. Review the available matches. Compare listings by variety, certification, grade, dealer, and asking price.
3. Add the search to your wishlist. If the right example is not available, save it as a wishlist item with your preferred variety or grade.
4. Get notified about new matches. When new dealer inventory matches your wishlist, GetCoinHunt sends an alert so you can review the listing before it disappears.
5. Verify before buying. Confirm certification, variety attribution, and whether the coin is a genuine 1787 original or a later restrike.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the Fugio cent historically significant?

It’s widely considered the first coin struck under the authority of the United States government, following a 1787 congressional resolution authorizing its production.

What does “FUGIO” and “MIND YOUR BUSINESS” mean?

FUGIO is Latin for “I fly” or “I flee,” referencing time passing, illustrated by the sundial beneath it. “MIND YOUR BUSINESS” is a pointed reminder often associated with the practical, industrious sensibility linked to Benjamin Franklin, whose ideas are traditionally connected to the design.

What is the Club Rays variety?

A Fugio cent die variety in which the sun’s rays end in blunted, club-like tips rather than the more common pointed rays—one of the more sought-after and collectible variations in the series.

What is a New Haven restrike, and is it a genuine 1787 coin?

New Haven restrikes were struck around 1859 from newly cut dies recreating the Fugio design, not the original 1787 dies. They are not genuine 18th-century originals, though they have their own established collector market, especially in their rarer silver and gold compositions.

How can I tell a genuine 1787 Fugio cent from a New Haven restrike?

Composition is a strong clue—genuine originals were struck only in copper, so a silver or gold example is automatically a later restrike. Certification from a major grading service will confirm the specific attribution.

Are all Fugio cent varieties expensive?

No. Common varieties in typical circulated grades are reasonably accessible relative to other colonial American coinage. Rarer die varieties like Club Rays, and coins in exceptional condition, carry meaningfully higher premiums.

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