jackpine20 的钱币相册
Today, November 5th, 2024 is presidential election day in America! In honor of this highly consequential ritual, I thought I would share a copper coin from our pre-pubescent republic. This attractive, yet often overlooked 1787 Fugio Cent (Newman 13-N variety, Rarity-5) represents the first federally issued design authorized by The Congress of the Confederation of the United States, pre-dating all others, even the widely circulated Flowing Hair Large Cent of 1793 and later. By most accounts, the Fugio Cent was designed by Benjamin Franklin. Early dealers and collectors advertised the availability of what they then called, the Franklin Cent. Not surprisingly, the coin's design shares elements consistent with paper currency printed years earlier on one of Franklin's printing presses. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ On the obverse, FUGIO translates from Latin, "I flee", referring to the passage of time, implicit in the design's radiant sun and sundial. My favorite part, MIND YOUR BUSINESS can be read literally, as Franklin was known to have strong opinions on the matter. Aptly applied to our current presidential contest, an entry in the Journal of Congress dated September 30, 1788 reads in part, " The excellent monitorial caution, MIND YOUR BUSINESS, impressed on each of these, may prove an antidote to insurgency." Time will tell. ~~~~~~~~~~~ On the reverse, we find thirteen interlocking rings representing the original thirteen colonies, together surrounding the motto, WE ARE ONE. That's not such a scary thought.