Fugio cent
Classification:
Date:
1787
Medium:
Copper
Dimensions:
diameter: 1 1/8 in. ( 2.8 cm )
Description:
Die-struck copper "Fugio cent"; "FUGIO", "1787", "MIND YOUR BUSINESS" on obverse, rayed sun at top, sundial in center; circular chain of thirteen links on reverse, "UNITED STATES", "WE / ARE / ONE" in center.
Object Number:
INV.13869e
Marks:
Struck: Obverse: "FUGIO 1787/MIND YOUR/BUSINESS"
Struck: Reverse: "UNITED STATES/WE ARE ONE"
Gallery Label:
The design and inscriptions on the "Fugio" cent, the first coin issued by the United States, were suggested by Benjamin Franklin. The obverse of the one-cent coin features a sun and sundial with the legends "FUGIO" (I fly) and "MIND YOUR BUSINESS," while the reverse depicts thirteen linked chains , representing each of the thirteen colonies, with the legend "WE ARE ONE."
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1787
eMuseum Object ID:
45746
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Fugio cent
Classification:
Date:
1787
Medium:
Copper
Dimensions:
diameter: 1 1/8 in. ( 2.8 cm )
Description:
Obverse: a sundial above which is the sun resplendant; Reverse: a circular chain of thirteen links.
Object Number:
INV.13867c
Marks:
Struck: Obverse: "FUGIO 1787/MIND YOUR BUSINESS"
Struck: Reverse: "UNITED STATES/WE ARE ONE"
Gallery Label:
Fugio cents were the first coins struck by the United States for regular cirulation.
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1787
eMuseum Object ID:
45745
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Half dime
Classification:
Date:
1800
Medium:
Silver
Dimensions:
diameter: 5/8 in. ( 1.6 cm )
Description:
Obverse: Liberty facing right; Reverse: Heraldic eagle, a rendition after the Great Seal.
Object Number:
INV.13891b
Marks:
Struck: Obverse: "LIBERTY 1800"
Struck: Reverse: "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA"
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1800
eMuseum Object ID:
45744
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Half dime
Classification:
Date:
1795
Medium:
Silver
Dimensions:
diameter: 5/8 in. ( 1.6 cm )
Description:
Obverse: Liberty facing right; Reverse: a small eagle with wings displayed.
Object Number:
INV.13891a
Marks:
Struck: Obverse: "LIBERTY 1795"
Struck: Reverse: "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA"
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1795
eMuseum Object ID:
45743
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Pattern quarter
Classification:
Date:
1792
Medium:
Pewter
Dimensions:
Diameter: 29.1mm, 16 g
Description:
Pattern quarter with plain edge; coin alignment of dies. Obverse: Bust of Liberty with head facing right. Reverse: an eagle standing on a half globe.
Object Number:
INV.13862a
Marks:
Struck: Obverse: "LIBERTY/1792"
Struck: Reverse: "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA"
Gallery Label:
This trial strike of a U.S. Quarter, one of only five such pieces known to survive, was made from a die engraved by Mint engraver Joseph Wright. The die broke in hardening, and no coins were ever minted from the pattern.
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1792
eMuseum Object ID:
45742
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Pattern quarter
Classification:
Date:
1792
Medium:
Pewter
Dimensions:
Diameter: 29.2mm, 16 g
Description:
Pattern quarter with plain edge; coin alignment of dies. Obverse: Bust of Liberty with head facing right. Reverse: an eagle standing on a half globe.
Object Number:
INV.13862b
Marks:
Struck: Obverse: "LIBERTY/1792"
Struck: Reverse: "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA"
Gallery Label:
This trial strike of a U.S. Quarter, one of only five such pieces known to survive, was made from a die engraved by Mint engraver Joseph Wright. The die broke in hardening, and no coins were ever minted from the pattern.
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1792
eMuseum Object ID:
45687
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Virginia half penny
Classification:
Date:
1773
Medium:
Copper
Dimensions:
diameter: 1 in. ( 2.5 cm )
Description:
Obverse: George III's bust facing right. Reverse: Hannoverian arms.
Object Number:
Z.3009
Marks:
Struck: Obverse: "GEORGIVS III REX"
Struck: Reverse: "VIRGI/NIA 1773"
Gallery Label:
England struck coins for only one of its American colonies, Virginia. By the time they arrived in Virginia the Revolution had already begun.
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1773
eMuseum Object ID:
45686
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Connecticut copper
Classification:
Date:
1787
Medium:
Copper
Dimensions:
Diameter: 1 1/8 in. (2.9 cm)
Description:
Obverse: male bust facing left. Reverse: Liberty seated facing left.
Object Number:
INV.13875f
Marks:
Struck: Obverse: "AUCTORI CONNEC"
Struck: Reverse: "INDE ET LIB 1787"
Gallery Label:
The inscriptions mean "By the authority of Connecticut" and "Independence and Liberty".
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1787
eMuseum Object ID:
45681
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Pine tree shilling
Classification:
Date:
1652
Medium:
Silver
Dimensions:
Overall: 7/8 in. ( 2.2 cm )
diameter: 7/8 in. ( 2.2 cm )
Description:
Pine tree shilling. Obverse: a pine tree. Reverse: date above denomination in Roman numerals.
Object Number:
INV.12808f
Marks:
Struck: Obverse: "MASATHVSETS". IN
Struck: Reverse: "[NE] WENGLAND/AN/DOM; 1652/XII
Gallery Label:
Small size Pine tree shillings like this one were widely used throughout the colonies. Although prohibited by the English king in 1683, they were still in circulationin New York City twenty five years later.
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1652
eMuseum Object ID:
45680
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
Oak tree shilling
Classification:
Date:
1652
Medium:
Silver
Dimensions:
diameter: 28.2 mm N/S; 27.6 mm E/W
Description:
Oak tree shilling struck in silver; obverse: an oak tree; reverse: date above denomination in Roman numerals.
Object Number:
INV.12808d
Gallery Label:
Massachusetts authorized a coinage in 1652. The coinage ceased in 1683. Oak tree type coins, as here, were probably struck from 1660 to 1670.
Date Begin:
0
Date End:
1652
eMuseum Object ID:
45679
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
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