The phrase “Mind Your Business” appears on early American coins, specifically the Fugio Cent , also known as the Continental dollar coin or Franklin dollar.
- Fugio Cent: This copper coin, authorized by the Continental Congress in 1787, features the sun shining on a sundial. The word “Fugio” (Latin for “I flee” or “time flies”) and the message “Mind Your Business” appear below the sundial. Some historians attribute this design and motto to Benjamin Franklin.
- Meaning: The phrase “Mind Your Business” on the Fugio Cent is believed to have a dual meaning. It refers to both monetary responsibility and civic diligence.
- Reverse Side: The back of the Fugio Cent displays the motto “We Are One” and thirteen chain links representing the unity of the original thirteen colonies.
- Historical Significance: The Fugio Cent is a significant piece of early American history. It is a unique example of the mottos and symbolism used on early U.S. coinage.
While the Fugio Cent features “Mind Your Business,” the official motto of the United States, established in 1956, is “In God We Trust”. However, “E Pluribus Unum” (Out of Many, One) also appears on U.S. coinage and on the Great Seal. It was a de facto motto for much of the nation’s history.
Is the Fugio cent real?
Thanks for asking. The Fugio cent, also known as the Franklin cent, is the first official circulation coin of the United States. Consisting of 0.36 oz (10 g) of copper and minted dated 1787, by some accounts it was designed by Benjamin Franklin.
What was the first phrase on US coins?
The motto “Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry” was fleeting. In 1793, when the first official U.S. coins were struck in the new mint, the motto had disappeared. It was replaced by the simple phrase “Liberty,” the motto that appears on U.S. coins to this day.
What does the Fugio cent symbolize?
The Story of Money: 11–Fugio Cent
The sun and sundial on this coin symbolize time, and together with the Latin word fugio (“I fly”), they express the idea “time flies.” Below the sundial is the phrase “Mind Your Business.” Both mottos have been attributed to Benjamin Franklin.