1787 Fugio 1C States United, 4 Cinq, BN MS(PCGS#883)

June 2026 Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

1218

Grade

XF40BN

Price

4,148

Lot Description

A generally medium brown example with intermingled chestnut and steely-copper hues, the latter associated with minor flan fissures and some light surface build up here and there around the peripheries. Obverse periphery soft at right and along lower border, date only partially legible, but the sun and sundial are bold. The reverse is nicely centered and universally bold. There is some nice gloss, texture hard and generally tight, the few faint marks require magnification to discern and are easy overlooked in most viewing situations. The eye appeal is positive and the overall detail is noteworthy for the grade.<p>The Newman 9-T combines two dies that saw heavy usage in previous marriages. This usage of Obverse 9 follows the Newman 9-S marriage, by which time this die saw several significant clashes. They are more subtle and worn here, but the die has lost significant sharpness from lapping and repair, leaving most examples of this variety with softness around the obverse periphery, as noted here. Retz suggests there may be a yet-unknown marriage of Obverse 9, since no reverse clashmarks appear visible on any coins known from this obverse.<p>This is a very challenging variety to find nice. The best of these is generally agreed to be the Ford coin. Retz ranked his own example second best; it was graded PCGS VF-35 when we last sold it in March 2021. Prior to this offering we had never sold an example certified EF or better. The Syd Martin coin, graded VF-30 (PCGS), was ranked fifth by Retz. We've sold four graded PCGS VF-20 over the years, but anyone assembling a top-flight Fugio set would be wise to pursue this PCGS EF-40 with vigor.