FUGIO

The Fugio cent, also known as the Franklin cent, is an early United States copper coin minted in 1787 and 1788. It is widely regarded as among the first coins produced in the new republic and is notable for its distinctive iconography and its association with Benjamin Franklin. The Latin word fugio, displayed on the coin, means “I flee” or “I fly,” a reference often linked to the sun’s rising in the design.

Design and symbolism

The obverse features a sun rising behind a stylized sundial, with the inscription FUGIO on the dial and the motto MIND YOUR BUSINESS arranged around the perimeter. The date 1787 appears below the sundial. The reverse presents a ring of 13 connected links symbolizing the original thirteen states, with the central motto WE ARE ONE across the chain and the outer legend UNITED STATES around the edge. The combination of timekeeping, unity, and industriousness reflects Franklin’s civic ideals.

Production and varieties

Fugio cents were produced in copper starting in 1787, during the early era of American coinage when the fledgling nation relied on provisional or locally produced pieces. The coins exist in a small number of varieties and are highly sought after by numismatists and collectors. Their preservation and provenance contribute to their significance in the study of early American monetary history.

Legacy

Today, the Fugio cent is recognized as a symbol of the United States’ early self-representation and monetary experimentation. Its imagery—a rising sun, a sundial, and the unity of the states—continues to be cited in discussions of Franklin’s influence on American political philosophy and civic culture.