On April 21, 1789, the US Congress authorized the treasury "to contract for 300 tons of copper coin"... to "be coined at the expense of the contractor." On July 6 they instructed the treasury board to "direct the contractor ... to stamp on one side of each piece ... thirteen circles linked together...; on the other side ... a dial with the hours expressed on the face ...; a meridian sun above on one side of which is the word 'Fugio,'...." With these words, Congress authorized the Fugio or Franklin cent. Legend credits the design to Ben Franklin....