Two Cents

(1864-1873)

From a practical standpoint, the two-cent piece was one of the least successful coins in U.S. history: The United States Mint produced it for only ten years, and each year the mintage declined, reflecting steadily falling public interest in the coin. Yet, despite its failure as a medium of exchange, the two-cent piece made a singular and enduring contribution to the nation’s coinage history, for this was the coin that introduced the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. The motto and the coin itself were both direct results of the Civil War.

By the end of 1862, with the war in its 21st month, virtually all U.S. government coinage had vanished from circulation; hoarders and speculators—joined by millions of just plain frightened Americans—had set aside every coin they could get their hands on, including not only gold and silver pieces but also base-metal issues. In.... (Expand Text)

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1869 2C PR66 Red PCGS

GEM RED. ONLY 600 STRUCK. ONLY TWO COINS GRADED HIGHER AT PCGS.
$7,425.00

1870 2C PR66 Red PCGS

GEM PROOF. ONLY 1,000 STRUCK. JUST 6 GRADED HIGHER AT PCGS. CAC.
$7,975.00

1873 2C, CLOSED 3 PR64+ Cameo NGC

CLOSED 3. GEM RED CAMEO. ONLY 2 CAMEOS GRADE HIGHER AT NGC.
$6,600.00

1873 2C, CLOSED 3 PR66 Cameo PCGS

CLOSED 3. GEM RED LUSTROUS SURFACES WITH CAMEO DEVICES. ONLY STRUCK. SOLE HIGHEST GRADED WITH A CAC STICKER. CAC.
$49,500.00

1873 2C, OPEN 3 PR66+ Red PCGS

OPEN 3. GEM RED LUSTROUS SURFACES. SOLE HIGHEST GRADED. ONLY 200 STRUCK. CAC.
$46,200.00