Sometimes called the Franklin Cent, on account of the motto, "Mind your Business," which was one of the sayings of Benjamin Franklin, was the earliest type of Cent issued by the Government of the United States. It bears the date 1787, and there are a number of varieties.

The obverse shows a sundial with the words FUGIO 1787 and the above-mentioned motto in the exergue. The sundial and motto are copied from the similar design on the so-called Continental pewter dollar struck in 1776. The latter has the initials EG FECIT, hence it is assumed that Edward Getz prepared the dies.

The reverse of the Fugio Cent bears an outer circle of thirteen links in a chain, indicative of the thirteen original states. An inner circle is inscribed UNITED STATES, and this again encloses the motto WE ARE ONE in three lines.