New Acquisition: 1787 Silver Fugio Cent - so called New Haven Restrike PCGS AU-55
oreville
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Just purchased this coin from a very prominent collector of Commems and Colonials.
This coin is in a older PCGS green insert slab. It seems to be solid for the grade but I must admit only 16 of these have been graded by PCGS in all grades, far scarcer than the original copper Fugio of 1787.
Alas, I do not have a picture of this coin just yet, although I already have it in my possession.
I will post pictures of the various silver fugio restrikes that have been auctioned that I am aware of.
Heritage has had only two coins auctioned in the past 13 years.
Sold at Heritage 2007 ANA for $23,000 (PCGS MS-63)
Breen-1344. Off-metal strikings of the so-called "New Haven Restrikes," actually minted from copy dies created in the 1860s, are highly elusive today. This piece offers strong detail despite a failing obverse die, evident in the slight convexity of that side. Both sides display delicate emerald, rose, and gold patina over subtly lustrous silver-gray surfaces. Listed on page 84 of the 2008 Guide Book. Population: 3 in 63, 0 finer (7/07). (information provided by Heritage(c))
Sold at Heritage 2003 Baltimore for $1,725 (NGC MS-62)
Breen-1344. Despite the attempts by Major Horatio Rust to lead collectors astray with phony pedigree information in the 1860s and 1870s, New Haven restrikes were actually struck from copy dies using coining techniques that were unavailable in the 1780s. These pieces were apparently made for Charles Bushnell in Scovill's Mint in Waterbury, Connecticut. Bushnell was also responsible for the striking of several rare varieties of Washington medals and Hard Times tokens also in the 1860s. Silver impressions of the New Haven Restrikes are very seldom encountered and are listed as "Extremely Rare" by Breen. This piece was struck from a obviously buckled obverse die that gives the coin a convex appearance on the obverse. However, this buckling does not affect the definition of the coin with the striking details on each side sharply defined. Each side shows light gray patina with subdued luster characteristics. A rare opportunity to acquire this off-metal striking. Listed on page 64 of the 2003 Guide Book. (information provided by Heritage(c))
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This coin is in a older PCGS green insert slab. It seems to be solid for the grade but I must admit only 16 of these have been graded by PCGS in all grades, far scarcer than the original copper Fugio of 1787.
Alas, I do not have a picture of this coin just yet, although I already have it in my possession.
I will post pictures of the various silver fugio restrikes that have been auctioned that I am aware of.
Heritage has had only two coins auctioned in the past 13 years.
Sold at Heritage 2007 ANA for $23,000 (PCGS MS-63)
Breen-1344. Off-metal strikings of the so-called "New Haven Restrikes," actually minted from copy dies created in the 1860s, are highly elusive today. This piece offers strong detail despite a failing obverse die, evident in the slight convexity of that side. Both sides display delicate emerald, rose, and gold patina over subtly lustrous silver-gray surfaces. Listed on page 84 of the 2008 Guide Book. Population: 3 in 63, 0 finer (7/07). (information provided by Heritage(c))
Sold at Heritage 2003 Baltimore for $1,725 (NGC MS-62)
Breen-1344. Despite the attempts by Major Horatio Rust to lead collectors astray with phony pedigree information in the 1860s and 1870s, New Haven restrikes were actually struck from copy dies using coining techniques that were unavailable in the 1780s. These pieces were apparently made for Charles Bushnell in Scovill's Mint in Waterbury, Connecticut. Bushnell was also responsible for the striking of several rare varieties of Washington medals and Hard Times tokens also in the 1860s. Silver impressions of the New Haven Restrikes are very seldom encountered and are listed as "Extremely Rare" by Breen. This piece was struck from a obviously buckled obverse die that gives the coin a convex appearance on the obverse. However, this buckling does not affect the definition of the coin with the striking details on each side sharply defined. Each side shows light gray patina with subdued luster characteristics. A rare opportunity to acquire this off-metal striking. Listed on page 64 of the 2003 Guide Book. (information provided by Heritage(c))
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<< <i>Just purchased this coin from a very prominent collector of Commems and Colonials.
This coin is in a older PCGS green insert slab. It seems to be solid for the grade but I must admit only 16 of these have been graded by PCGS in all grades, far scarcer than the original copper Fugio of 1787.
Alas, I do not have a picture of this coin just yet, although I already have it in my possession.
I will post pictures of the various silver fugio restrikes that have been auctioned that I am aware of. >>
Of course, they are not restrikes, nor are they from New Haven! Why are these not simply considered as counterfeit?
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Isn't the PCGS counterfeit slab now more desired by collectors than a similar authentic slab in most cases? LOL.
Restrike or counterfeit - these are seriously rare coins with an interesting story. I think they are very cool.
<< <i>Despite the attempts by Major Horatio Rust to lead collectors astray with phony pedigree information in the 1860s and 1870s, New Haven restrikes were actually struck from copy dies using coining techniques that were unavailable in the 1780s. These pieces were apparently made for Charles Bushnell in Scovill's Mint in Waterbury, Connecticut. >>
It does seem that these would be better classified as counterfeits.
It would be nice to stop the practice of calling these "restrikes" since the same reasoning could be used to call other counterfeits and/or reproductions restrikes.
In any event, the circa 1860s reproductions are very nice. I prefer many of the designs over the original even if they were used to fleece collectors at the time. Congrats on the pick up
The presumption being that those struck from the original dies would be more market acceptable as a collectable than one sruck from a fabricated die......
<< <i>Isn't there, (and if not, shouldn't there be), a technical difference between a restrike, whether "official" or "unofficial", that was struck from the ORIGINAL dies that were used to strike the ORIGINAL coin; and a counterfeit or reproduction struck from "NON-OFFICIAL" dies that were NOT used to strike the ORIGINAL coin.... ?????
The presumption being that those struck from the original dies would be more market acceptable as a collectable than one sruck from a fabricated die...... >>
The "restrike" definition is a very messy one. I put together the following matrix to show some of the different types of reproductions that can be encountered based on what I've read so far. There may be errors. You can see it here or just use the image below:
Since the Bushnell Fugios were passed off as the real thing when they weren't, they can be considered counterfeits as stated by many people on this thread. For consistency, should we either call them Bushnell Fugio Counterfeits or start calling other things restrikes, like the Omega Saint Restrikes?
until i read this thread. i also agree counterfeit would be the better
term. If the mint did not make it, i want to understand that right
away.
good thread. neat coins.
There was no silver fugio cent minted in 1787 so this issue cannot be confused with the original copper only issue of 1787.
Although there are numerous stories in print suggesting that Joseph J Mickley was responsible for restrikes and mules of several issues, there is absolutely no documentation to support or validate such claims, which for the most part, were fabricated after his death in 1878.
Mickley did purchase a few scrap dies from the Mint, but he didn't have any equipment or commercial motivation to market anything that wasn't created at the Mint. From all reports, his integrity was unquestionable (not like those inside the Mint for instance).
Professor Montroville Dickeson did create several fantasy restrikes in the early 1860's, perhaps using one or two dies which may have been borrowed from Mickley.
Regrettably, there were quite a few others who actively engaged in making copies, restrikes, and electrotypes of many U.S. issues during the last half of the 19th century - however, Joseph Mickley should not be counted among them.
<< <i>Frankcoin: Indeed they are counterfeits but they along with other "counterfeits" such as the Machins Mills half penny owe their fame to being just that...counterfeit.
Isn't the PCGS counterfeit slab now more desired by collectors than a similar authentic slab in most cases? LOL. >>
Beautiful coin...or "coin" Just stirring the pot a bit. Seeing if the "all counterfeits must be turned into the Secret Service as they are contraband" crowd would show up.