Several early US coins could be considered the “first,” depending on the specific definition used.
- The Fugio cent, also known as the Franklin cent, is recognized as the first official circulating coin of the United States.
- Authorized by the Continental Congress in 1787, before the US Mint was established, it featured a sundial and the Latin motto “Fugio” (time flies) on the obverse, and a chain of 13 links representing the states with “We Are One” on the reverse.
- Despite being produced for only one year, [Fugio cents] are popular collector’s items today.
- The 1792 Half Disme is a five-cent silver coin minted in 1792, often considered the first coin struck by the United States under the authority of the Coinage Act of 1792.
- Though some debate its status as an official circulating coin or a pattern issue, a significant quantity were produced and likely entered circulation.
- The coin features Lady Liberty on the obverse and an eagle on the reverse, [according to Coin ID Scanner].
- It’s associated with President George Washington’s efforts to establish a national currency and may have been produced using his personal silver.
- The U.S. Mint, established by the Coinage Act of 1792, delivered its first circulating coins on March 1, 1793: 11,178 copper cents.
- These large copper cents featured an image of Liberty with flowing hair and a chain on the reverse.
In summary, while the Fugio Cent was the first coin officially authorized by the government for circulation , the 1792 Half Disme is considered by many to be the first coin struck by the newly established United States under the Coinage Act . The first coins officially delivered into circulation by the U.S. Mint were the copper cents in 1793.
What was the first coin made in the USA?
On April 21, 1787, the Congress of the Confederation of the United States authorized a design for an official copper penny, later referred to as the Fugio cent because of its image of the Sun and its light shining down on a sundial with the caption, “Fugio” (Latin: I flee/fly, referring to time flying by).
What is the oldest US dollar coin?
The Flowing Hair dollar was the first dollar coin issued by the United States federal government. The coin was minted in 1794 and 1795; its size and weight were based on the Spanish dollar, which was popular in trade throughout the Americas.
What is the rarest US coin in history?
I can help with that. The one remaining specimen is carefully preserved at National Numismatic Collections at the Smithsonian Institution. The 1849 Double Eagle is currently the rarest and most valuable coin in the world, with an estimated value of around $20 million.