1787 FUGIO CENT found in Oregon?! OH YEAH!!!

oddcoins · May 8, 2018

Yesterday I went out metal detecting in the yard around an old house in downtown Eugene Oregon . . . . . I dug two Indian head cents (1898 and 1894), a few wheat cents, possibly a very worn large Cent or foreign coin, and plenty of modern pocket change. Also, I dug an aluminum tag . . .. . At first assumed it was a dog tag and I just about freaked out! But it is actually a coat check tag from Lotus Isle Ball Room from Portland Oregon. I ended up finding 12 of them!! Woohoo!! . . .. I bet there's a funny story on how these tags got from the Lotus Isle in Portland and got all strewn around the back yard at a house 2 hours south in Eugene!

I didn't think much of the worn out large copper so I threw it in the rock tumbler along with the clad to clean it up. When I took it out of the tumbler I could see some details. . . . first being a circle of inner-connected rings, like a FUGIO CENT . . . but I was doubtful, so I took it to the local coin dealer and had the profession numismatist look at it. I just handed it to him and asked what he thought of it. He immediately said "this is a 1787 FUGIO CENT".... I am still in shock that I found this. My first piece of coinage dated in the 1700's!!! WOOHOO

Truth · May 9, 2018

Incredible find and YOU found it! Congratulations on a epic 1700’s US coin

bologna321 · May 9, 2018

That has to be a super rare find on the west coast

ToddsPoint · May 9, 2018

Fugio means "I fly"...a reference to the sundial in the center. "Time flies" is the point they are trying to make. Below the sundial, it says "mind your business". All US coins should have that on them! The quote is attributed to Ben Franklin, and these are also called "Franklin cents". Great find anywhere, but on the west coast...WOW! Gary

Trezurehunter · May 9, 2018

Congrats on a great find. I'll bet you never expected to find one of those, out in Oregon. Thats a real nice find for the West Coast. I like those tags also.

Hawks88 · May 9, 2018

That is an awesome find. Congratulations!

treblehunter · May 9, 2018

Congrats on a great find!

Cool Hand Fluke · May 9, 2018

I've been in this hobby for 33 years and have never seen this before on the west coast! That's pretty amazing! I always wonder who lost it at when? Congrats!