Whitman Expo
2-Cent Piece Set no 1867 DDO 2 Cents MS BN 10 Coins
Details
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.
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.
Obverse: 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: 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.
Basic Information
GSID:
77939
Coin Date:
2-Cent Piece Set
Denomination:
2c / 2 Cents
Designation:
MS
Mint & Coinage Details
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Coinage Type:
Two cent piece
Coinage Years:
1864-1872
Composition:
0.95 copper; 0.05 tin & zinc
Varieties and Classification
Variety:
no 1867 DDO
Variety 2:
10 Coins
Physical Characteristics
Weight:
6.22 gr
Weight:
0.2 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
23 mm
Coin Shape:
Round
