Reviews and Views

Franklin’s Fugio Cent & His 13 Virtues

On April 21, 1787, the Congress of the Confederation of the United States authorized a design for an official copper penny. It was 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, referring to time flying by). By some accounts, this coin was designed by Benjamin Franklin as a reminder to its holders, he put at its bottom the message, “Mind your business”. This design was based on the 1776 “Continental dollar” coin, which was produced in pattern pieces but was never circulated. It consists of 10 grams of copper.

The reverse side bore the motto “We Are One” surrounded by thirteen chain links, representing the original thirteen colonial states. Notice the 13 interlocking rings on the coin’s design as shown above. It symbolizes the colonies and Franklin’s virtues. He believed every person should be responsible for building his or her own character.

Check out this link below for a further discussion of those 13 virtues:
https://www.artofmanliness.com/character/behavior/the-virtuous-life-wrap-up/

December 5, 2022 - Posted by Bill Wyler | advice, Culture | Behavior, history, Responsibility, Truth