2-Cent Piece 2c 1864-1872 MS RD [Type]

Designer: James B. Longacre. Weight: 6.22 grams. Composition: .950 copper, .050 tin and zinc. Diameter: 23 mm. Edge: Plain. Mint: Philadelphia.

Key to Collecting: Examples are readily available in nearly all grades. The first several years of the series can be purchased in such grades as VF, EF, and AU. Most have light brown surfaces and are quite attractive. Gems with excellent aesthetic appeal are elusive. Most Mint State coins seen in the marketplace are of the first several years, particularly 1864 Large Motto and 1865. Attractive pieces can be purchased with brown, red and brown, or red surfaces. Many full red (orange is a more appropriate description) coins are flecked or spotted. Quality coins are elusive.

Aspects of Striking and Appearance: Points to check for sharpness include the leaves and horizontal shield lines on the obverse, and, on the reverse, the wreath details and the border letters.

Proof Coins: Proofs were made of all years 1864 to 1873. The mintages are not recorded, but probably were larger toward the end of the series. Among varieties, the 1864 Small Motto Proof is a major rarity with probably fewer than two dozen known. The majority of Proofs of the various dates, even those classified in high grades, have problems of one sort or another—such as spotting or staining, or retoning. To put together a high-quality set of one of each date of Proofs would take several years or more. However, as you will be seeking just a single coin, the search will be less arduous. Do not overlook the many nice brown and red-and-brown pieces on the market (“investment” advisors often suggest that only “red” copper is worth buying, leaving many great values among other coins!).