NNP Encyclopedia data is provided in cooperation with Whitman Brands, based on catalog data organized by the Greysheet Identification System (GSID).
Entry Details
Coin Date: 2-Cent Piece Set Denomination (Short): 2c Denomination (Long): 2 Cents Variety: no 1867 DDO Variety 2: 10 Coins Desg: MS Composition: 0.95 copper; 0.05 tin & zinc Strike Type: Business Coinage Type: Two cent piece Coinage Years: 1864-1872 Mint Location: Philadelphia Diameter: 23 Weight (Grams): 6.22 Designer: James B. Longacre Edge: Plain Obverse Description: An ornate shield flanked on the left and right by leaves with arrow heads and shanks (crossed behind) appear protruding at the four corners. A ribbon above the shield bears the words IN GOD WE TRUST, making this coin design the first usage this now-ubiquitous motto. The date is positioned at the bottom center. Reverse Description: A large numeral 2 with the word CENTS below (smaller) in the center is framed by a well-defined wheat wreath tied at the bottom center by a simple ribbon. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA appears around the periphery. General Notes:
The 2 cent coin was struck by the United States Mint from 1864 through 1873 and was created to fill a need for small change during a massive Civil War-era coin shortage. The bronze 2 cent coin, designed by United States Mint Chief Engraver James B. Longacre, barely lasted a decade. Despite its relatively brief existence, it became historic for at least one reason ' it was the first United States coin to bear the motto IN GOD WE TRUST, which today is seen on all United States coins.
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While a popular series, the 2 cent piece is not widely collected as anything more than a type coin. However, there are series specialists who enjoy pursuing 2 cent coins. There are few big-ticket 2 cent pieces. Most in the lower circulated grades are priced at well less than $50. However, there are a couple regular-issue business-strike pieces that command three figure prices or greater. These include the scarce 1864 Small Motto that trades for about $200 and up and the 1872, which has a mintage of only 65,000 pieces and generally commands $300 or more. The 1867 doubled die is the major die variety of the series.
