“Resolved, That the Board of Treasury direct the contractor for the copper coinage to stamp on one side of each piece the following devices, viz.: Thirteen circles linked together, a small circle in the middle, with the words ‘UNITED STATES’ round it, and in the centre the words, ‘WE ARE ONE’; on the other side of the same piece the following device, viz.: a dial with the hours expressed on the face of it; a meridian sun above, on one side of which is to be the word ‘FUGIO,’ and on the other the year in figures ‘1787’; below the dial the words ‘MIND YOUR BUSINESS.’”
The Bar Cent, or U S A Copper.
This coin, presumed to have belonged to the same issue as the Nova Constellatio Coppers, was probably made in Birmingham, England, by Thomas Wyon, for circulation in America. The “U S A” Copper was first passed as money in the City of New York, in November, 1785. The device was taken from an old Continental button, to which fact and the light weight of the piece, has been attributed the disfavor shown the coinage and the limited circulation given the same.
Obverse: Large Roman “U S A” in a monogram, on a plain field.
Reverse: Thirteen horizontal bars. Border, serrated; Edge, plain; size, 15½; weight, 85 grains. Two pairs of dies.
Maryland Penny.
The Maryland Penny. One Type. One Variety. Unique.
Obverse: Similar to that of the sixpence.
Reverse: A Ducal Coronet, upon which are erected two masts, each bearing a flying pennant. Legend: “DENARIVM TERRE-MARIÆ.” Copper; size, 13.
The only specimen of this piece extant was imported into America from England, at a cost of £75, and was sold for $370 with the collection of J. J. Mickley, Esq., of Philadelphia.