First post... 1787 Fugio and a little bit of history and a quick question! 0

[HistoryBuffalo]

Hi all,

First post on the NGC forums after reading for a while, so happy to be here! I just picked up my first big coin after becoming a newly minted (no pun intended) college graduate and earning my bachelors degree in history. My studies focused on early United States history and focused on the Revolutionary War era stretching back to the late 1730s and into the beginning of the 19th century.

Ever the history student, I had been satisfying my innate curiosity when I learned about the fugue cent and its fascinating history. Please feel free to share other examples, but I can't think of many other early United States coins that have such a story and as many historical factors associated with it! For instance, it is the only United States federal coin issued under the Articles of Confederation, was designed in part by Benjamin Franklin and struck and produced as the Constitution was being debated and ratified by the states. In addition it has been reported that the copper from which the coins were struck came from copper bands which held together barrels of gunpowder sent over from the French during the Revolutionary War. I have also read that due to the coin's colorful and troubled production history with James Jarvis, it led in part to the establishment of the U.S. Mint in order for the Government to have a stricter and better regulated way to produce National currency. To me, this is all utterly fascinating!

As you can bet, I really worked my magic to try and procure an example. Now for me, the history is the most important factor, not necessarily grade or value. Being the novice that I am, my head started to spin upon seeing the various examples and prices... oh the prices! I tried doing my best due diligence to find a graded example but wasn't too pleased with what I would be getting getting for around $300 and the pickings were quite slim. That's when upon sharing my enthusiasm for history and excitement about the fugio cents with a fellow collector, I was offered an extremely generous deal on an example. The coin was extremely low grade at "VF DETAILS" and carried with it a notation of "environmental damage" but regardless, it was a fugio. Even better was that it was of the "United States" variety rather than of the "STATES UNITED" which I enjoy. On top of that, the major details are present as is its undisputed authenticity which was by far the most important factor.

The coin is now the cornerstone of my registry set add first graded coin I've picked up and I'm super excited to share it here in my debut post! With that said, I do have a few questions about the coin... what exactly might the environmental damage be on this coin? Also, I noticed cracks running diagonally along the reverse of the coin. Would this be due to a planchet flaw/crack or something else entirely and relate to the environmental damage?

Thanks for reading!

Edited June 13, 2022 by HistoryBuffalo

[J P M]

On 6/13/2022 at 4:33 PM, HistoryBuffalo said:

what exactly might the environmental damage be on this coin?

Welcome to the forum. It may have been in the ground a metal detector find.

Edited June 13, 2022 by J P Mashoke

[HistoryBuffalo]

On 6/13/2022 at 2:44 PM, J P Mashoke said:

Welcome to the forum. It may have been in the ground a metal detector find.

Thank you! That would definitely make sense. Now, should I worry about those cracks and further degradation? I figure that being in a relatively stable environment within the holder, it should be okay but I want to make sure I do what I can to preserve the coin if need be.

[Lem E]

I would say just keep it out of damp or humid environments and it will be ok. Welcome to the forum.

[J P M]

On 6/13/2022 at 4:50 PM, HistoryBuffalo said:

Thank you! That would definitely make sense. Now, should I worry about those cracks and further degradation? I figure that being in a relatively stable environment within the holder, it should be okay but I want to make sure I do what I can to preserve the coin if need be.

It is in a holder I can see no better place for it. Here is a link to your coin so you can have more info on it.

https://www.ngccoin.com/certlookup/6453964-006/NGCDetails/

[Coinbuf]

Welcome to the forum, both sides of the coin exhibit some pitting, this could have been the result of being buried in the ground and would certainly be the reason for the details grade.   As to the planchet, this was coined in the early days when the process of coining was just beginning so the quality of planchets and striking was much less perfect than today.    There is nothing that you need to do, the coin is protected by the slab and will be fine just as it is, your task is to provide proper storage while you are the steward of this piece of history.

Edited June 13, 2022 by Coinbuf

[Oldhoopster]

Here's my Fugio.  Part of my "Redbook colonial type set" (significant colonial types listed in the redbook).  

[HistoryBuffalo]

On 6/13/2022 at 3:07 PM, Oldhoopster said:

Here's my Fugio.  Part of my "Redbook colonial type set" (significant colonial types listed in the redbook).  

Beautiful! Very cool!

[HistoryBuffalo]

On 6/13/2022 at 2:55 PM, Lem E said:

I would say just keep it out of damp or humid environments and it will be ok. Welcome to the forum.

 

On 6/13/2022 at 2:59 PM, Coinbuf said:

Welcome to the forum, both sides of the coin exhibit some pitting, this could have been the result of being buried in the ground and would certainly be the reason for the details grade.   As to the planchet, this was coined in the early days when the process of coining was just beginning so the quality of planchets and striking was much less perfect than today.    There is nothing that you need to do, the coin is protected by the slab and will be fine just as it is, your task is to provide proper storage while you are the steward of this piece of history.

Thank you! Part of the reason for pursuing a graded example was for the protection offered by the holder. I think the coin will most likely be kept on a stand on my desk for display where I can see it and enjoy it! Even though it has those cracks, it adds an extra layer of history and gives insight into that early process of coining, which is pretty awesome!

Edited June 13, 2022 by HistoryBuffalo

[The Neophyte Numismatist]

@Coinbuf hit the nail on the head. 

[Just Bob]

Welcome to the forum.

Nice first post & nice coin. Smart move purchasing an authenticated example. These are heavily counterfeited.

The cracks look to be planchet flaws, which are not unheard of on these coins. They add character, in my opinion.

[HistoryBuffalo]

On 6/13/2022 at 5:46 PM, Just Bob said:

Welcome to the forum.

Nice first post & nice coin. Smart move purchasing an authenticated example. These are heavily counterfeited.

The cracks look to be planchet flaws, which are not unheard of on these coins. They add character, in my opinion.

Thank you. I’m glad that those are planchet flaws, as I was a little worried at first. I agree, it definitely adds a bit of character.

Edited June 14, 2022 by HistoryBuffalo

[HistoryBuffalo]

The coin arrived a few days ago and I couldn’t be more thrilled! This is one heck of a piece of history! Thanks for all the kind greetings and the help concerning the coin’s condition and the answers about the planchet cracks. It’s all very much appreciated!

I’ve attached some photos of the fugio in a tad bit better light.

Edited June 18, 2022 by HistoryBuffalo

[platformsparkles]

Welcome to the forum! Great coin

[powermad5000]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

Copper coins of this time period and especially this issue are not exactly common so it is a nice addition! I note the cracking on the reverse of the coin does not extend through to the surface on the obverse, so it is likely that it is from the surface corrosion from whatever environment it was subject to. The copper planchets in this time period subjected to the environment that made the surface start to break down usually become more and more porous leading to the surface splits. I am not leaning towards a defective planchet in this case as those usually are a crack all the way through both sides of the coin extending in to the center from the rim as the planchet actually starts to split from the pressure of the strike. I would not worry about the coin's condition in its present holder (as long as you are not using the holder as an air hockey puck). I don't see the planchet splitting all the way through and the coin "cracking into pieces" so to speak.

There are conservation services for coins (NCS Conservation), but they will not conserve certain coins for various reasons, and I believe yours would fall into that category. Being the level of environmental damage already present, I would think any attempt to try to restabilize the surface of your coin could risk even further damage.

Good luck with your registry set!!

[OhyourSully]

Hello and welcome here, I'm also a newbie! Btw I'm also a history fan and a history student so it was so interesting to read your story and to see your great coin! Here https://assignmentbro.com/ca/history-homework-help also a lot of interesting info on historical themes. Good luck to you!

Edited March 31, 2023 by OhyourSully

[EagleRJO]

On 6/13/2022 at 5:07 PM, Oldhoopster said:

Here's my Fugio.  Part of my "Redbook colonial type set" (significant colonial types listed in the redbook).  

Would be nice to see you back posting again Hoop!

Edited March 13, 2023 by EagleRJO

[Coinbuf]

On 3/13/2023 at 7:16 AM, EagleRJO said:

Would be nice to see you back posting again Hoop!

I'm sad to say that hoop is no longer with us except in memory. 

[The Neophyte Numismatist]

I liked Hoop a lot.  I will miss his contributions.

[Just Bob]

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