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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 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.
Book Reference
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!).
Catalog Information
GSID:
72347
Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Lettering:
IN GOD WE TRUST, [Date]
Reverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Reverse Lettering:
2, CENTS, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Weight (gr):
6.22 gr
Weight (oz):
0.2 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
23
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Plain
Variety:
1864-1872
Coin Date:
2-Cent Piece
Denomination:
2c
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Coinage Type:
Two cent piece
Coinage Years:
1864-1872
Composition:
0.95 copper; 0.05 tin & zinc
PCGS #:
3573
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Body: Referring page: http://dev.greysheet.com/prices/item/two-cent-piece-type-coin-brown/gsid/72347 GSID: 72347 Title: 2-Cent Piece 2c 1864-1872 MS BN [Type]
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Coin Value History
2-Cent Piece 2c 1864-1872 MS BN [Type]
Value By Grade
2-Cent Piece 2c 1864-1872 MS BN [Type]
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
Sort by
Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS67 |
|
$7,500 | $1,234 |
| MS67 | - | $6,250 | $1,234 |
| MS66 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS66 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
2-Cent Piece 2c 1864-1872 MS RB [Type]
![2-Cent Piece 2c 1864-1872 MS RB [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ctc/catalog/18662c.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $120 – $7,680
2-Cent Piece 2c 1864-1872 MS RD [Type]
![2-Cent Piece 2c 1864-1872 MS RD [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ctc/catalog/18642c.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $240 – $24,000
1864 2c Small Motto MS BN
Worth: $110 – $4,400
1864 2c Small Motto MS RB
Worth: $1,175 – $9,000
1864 2c Small Motto MS RD
Worth: $2,200 – $70,000
1864 2c Large Motto MS BN
Worth: $10 – $6,000
1864 2c Large Motto MS RB
Worth: $120 – $7,680
1864 2c Large Motto MS RD
Worth: $240 – $24,000
1865 2c MS BN
Worth: $10 – $6,000
1865 2c MS RB
Worth: $120 – $7,680
1865 2c MS RD
Worth: $240 – $24,000
1865 2c Plain 5 MS BN
Worth: $12 – $7,200
1865 2c Plain 5 MS RB
Worth: $144 – $9,216
1865 2c Plain 5 MS RD
Worth: $288 – $28,800
1865 2c Fancy 5 MS BN
Worth: $10 – $6,000
1865 2C Plain 5, Double Die Obverse -- Rotated Dies -- MS61 Brown ANACS. Housed in a small-sized holder. Mintage 13,640,000...
$207
1865 2C Fancy 5 MS65 Brown PCGS. CAC. CDN: $400 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS65. Mintage 13,640,000....
$512
1864 2C Large Motto, MS64 Brown PCGS. CDN: $250 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS64. Mintage 19,847,500. ...
$268
1866 2C MS62 Brown PCGS. PCGS Population: 64 in 62, 175 finer (11/25). CDN: $165 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS62. Mintage 3,17...
$207
1866 2C AU58 Brown NGC. NGC Census: 51 in 58, 239 finer (12/25). CDN: $125 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU58. Mintage 3,177,000....
$139
1867 2C MS63 Brown PCGS. CDN: $220 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS63. Mintage 2,938,750....
$226
1870 2C AU50 PCGS. PCGS Population: 33 in 50, 253 finer (12/25). CDN: $155 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU50. Mintage 860,250....
$150
1865 2C Fancy 5 XF45 PCGS. CDN: $55 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS XF45. Mintage 13,640,000....
$74
1872 2C XF40 PCGS. PCGS Population: 59 in 40, 223 finer (12/25). CDN: $850 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS XF40. Mintage 65,000....
$885
1864 2C Large Motto, AU55 Brown NGC. CDN: $85 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU55. Mintage 19,847,500. ...
$129
1864 2C Large Motto, AU53 Brown NGC. NGC Census: 94 in 53, 2358 finer (11/25). CDN: $72 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU53. Minta...
$109
1872 2C Good 4 PCGS. PCGS Population: 47 in 4, 733 finer (10/25). CDN: $275 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS Good 4 . Mintage 65,000...
$276
1872 2C AG3 Brown NGC. NGC Census: (19/391). Mintage 65,000....
$204
1864 2C Small Motto Good 6 PCGS. PCGS Population: (43/855 and 0/6+). Mintage 19,847,500. ...
$180
1871 2C VF30 CACG. Mintage 721,100....
$144
1864 2C Two Cent, Large Motto -- 70° CW Rotated Dies -- VF25 PCGS. PCGS Population: (35/2869 and 0/16+). Mintage 19,847,50...
$104
1864 2C Two Cent, Large Motto -- 180° Rotated Dies -- Fine 15 PCGS. PCGS Population: (27/2930 and 0/16+). Mintage 19,847,5...
$124
1865 2C Two Cent, Plain 5 -- Defective Planchet -- VF35 PCGS. PCGS Population: (4/191 and 0/3+). Mintage 13,640,000....
$79
1864 2C Large Motto MS66 Brown PCGS. PCGS Population: (19/1). Mintage 19,847,500. ...
$900
1864 2C Large Motto, Repunched Date, FS-1302, MS60 Brown ANACS. The entire date is punched at least three times, with seco...
$129
Greysheet News
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8/8/2024
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Dazzling rarities, free educational opportunities, family fun and more await at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
7/25/2024
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The designs will be featured on a $5 gold coin, a $1 silver coin, and a half dollar clad coin.
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Events
Heritage Auctions: US Coins Tuesday & Wednesday Select Auction
Location: Heritage Auctions
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Heritage Auctions: World & Ancient Coins Wednesday & Thursday Select Auction
Location: Heritage Auctions
Thursday, July 2, 2026
