THE U.S. TWO-CENT COIN: FACTS AND VALUES
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The two-cent coin was produced by the U.S. Mint beginning during the Civil War in 1864. The two-cent coin was designed by Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint, Mr. James B. Longacre. The two-cent coin is made out of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc. The two-cent coin was produced until 1873.
The two-cent coin was the first U.S. coin to bear "IN GOD WE TRUST". The front of the coin has a shield centered in the middle. The ribbon above the shield reads "IN GOD WE TRUST". There are also two arrows and an olive branch on the front behind the shield. The date is seen centered at the bottom of the obverse. The reverse side of the coin has "2 CENTS" centered and it is surrounded by a wreath. "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" is centered along the top rim on the back of the coin.
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On April 22, 1864, the U.S. Congress authorized the two-cent coin due to the Coinage Act. The law eliminated the silver three-cent coin and the half dime. The silver three-cent piece was later replaced with copper-nickel and it was discontinued in 1889. Minting errors and double-dies are not that rare for the two-cent coins.
As far as values go, the 1872 and the 1873 two-cent coins have the highest value. There were only 65,000 two-cent coins produced in 1872. In good grade, this coin is worth nearly $300. In great condition, it can reach $1,000 or more. In 1873, only proofs were made. Only 1,100 were produced and they are considered very rare. Even in good grade, they are worth $500. A high grade 1873 two-cent coin can reach values in the thousands.
In 1864, 19,847,500 two-cent coins were made. Despite the high production of coins produced, the coin is considered a key date if you find the right type. Pay close attention to the ribbon on the front of the coin above the shield. "IN GOD WE TRUST" should be smaller then the regular coin. This coin is valued around $200 in good grade. You can clearly see the difference in the "T" in "TRUST" or possibly the "E" in "WE". The other coin is considered the "Large Motto Type" two-cent coin and it is worth around $10.
This coin series produced less coins for each passing year. In 1864, there were 20 million coins produced and in 1873, there were only 1,100 proofs produced. The value of your coin is based on rarity and condition. The prices above are valued at a low good grade. This is the average condition of most coins. If they are in great shape, the value will be more then listed. If you have any questions, feel free to leave us a comment.
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MORE COIN HISTORY AND VALUES
- Benjamin Franklin Half Dollar History and Values
Find out how much your Benjamin Franklin Half Dollar is worth. Franklin Half Dollar facts and history. - U.S. Barber Quarter Values and Statistics
Find out how much your Barber Quarter is worth. Barber Quarter history and facts. - Indian Head Penny History, Stats, and Values
Find out how much your Indian Head Penny is worth. Indian Head Penny history and facts. - The Buffalo Nickel History and Values
Find out how much your Buffalo Nickel is worth. Buffalo Nickel history and facts. - Mercury Dime Values, Stats, and History
Find out how much money your Mercury Dimes are worth. Mercury Dime history and values. - Valuable Wheat Pennies
Find out how much your wheat pennies are worth. - Silver Morgan Dollar Values, Stats, and History
The most collected coin is the Silver Morgan Dollar. Find out the value of yours. - VALUABLE PENNIES STILL IN CIRCULATION TODAY
Find out what pennies are worth thousands and still in current circulation.
CHEAP TWO-CENT COINS
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1864 SHIELD 2 CENT PIECE 1ST COIN TO BEAR "IN GOD WE TRUST" CIVIL WAR ERA
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1867 2 Cent Piece US Coins Lot LL1
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Civil War Era 1864 US 2 Cents Bronze Coin VG + Mint Error Defective Die Obverse
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Thanks a lot Manthy. I appreciate your time and comment. See ya soon.
Hi, I am going to start collecting old coins! Wow, some are worth 1,000 dollars? I remember reading somewhere that an old English penny, 1933, was supposed to be worth a lot of money, same reason, not many made at the time, I am not sure how much its worth, but I keep looking! really interesting, cheers nell
Hey Nell. Thanks for coming by and checking it out. The largest price ever paid for a coin was $7,600,000. It was for a 1931 or 1933 Double Eagle coin. Only 3 are known to exist. They were made and later destroyed. 3 made it out. 2 were turned in and the other one turned up over in your country I believe at a private shop.
Fascinating Hub! I was once a coin collector, with a fairly impressive collection that took me maybe 20 years to collect. When my bar started to go broke, I sold my entire collection to a coin dealer for less than half what it was worth so I could buy stock. Six months later, I was out of business anyway. I wish I had my collection back today. Thank you.
I have casually collected coins off and on through the years, but I did not know that there was a 2 cent coin. Thanks for teaching me something I didn't know. This was a great hub and very interesting.
James, I feel you. I hate that you lost it. 20 years on a collection is hard. I am trying to sell mine starting today. It is a smaller collection. Top coin is a 1890 Silver Morgan and a 1826 Large Sent. I am hoping to get $200 for it to pay bills, even though it is worth nearly $700. It is always something. Thanks for coming by James and see ya soon.
James, I feel you. I hate that you lost it. 20 years on a collection is hard. I am trying to sell mine starting today. It is a smaller collection. Top coin is a 1890 Silver Morgan and a 1826 Large Cent. I am hoping to get $200 for it to pay bills, even though it is worth nearly $700. It is always something. Thanks for coming by James and see ya soon.
Hey there Homesteadbound. Thanks for coming by and checking it out. Your time is always appreciated. I as well. I found out when someone was selling one a few years back. I wish I would have bought it, but even if I did, it would be sold anyway. I thank you and have a good Monday dear.
I used to have one of these coins in fair condition given to me by my grandfather...it was thieved from my moms house by a third party friend.I don't remember the year and is was a dear keepsake.;)
Hey there Metalist. Sorry to hear that. I hate when that happens. Seems like it is always something.
Four odd denominations were tried at one time or another, only to be discarded. 1/2 cent, two cent, three cent (both silver and nickel) and twenty cent among the non-gold coins.
Very interesting and informative.
I didn't know there was a two cent coin. Canada had one too.
I hope you get more than $200.00 for your 1890 Silver Morgan.
Take care
My guess is that many coins are going to increase in value as we get to the point of not using 'cash and coins'. Especially coins that have 'valuable' content such as copper, silver and gold.
I have a large cent from the late 1700's that my father had. It's still in the protective covers and he paid $65 for it back in the 70's. It's in great condition.
Nice Hub!
Hello Sueswan. Thanks for the comment. You and me both. I really hate to get rid of it, but I have to. I have to keep the power and water on, but I believe I have found a job. So let us hope.
LuxmiH, thanks for coming by. You are right. In the economy scare, they are a safe haven commodity. Gold will always hold up. It hit 1930 an ounce this summer and is now back in the 1600s. I thought silver would rise steady, but it has fail from 45 to 32 in the last few weeks, as well as copper has dropped. But, they always hold value unlike a dollar.
LuxmiH, thanks for coming by. You are right. In the economy scare, they are a safe haven commodity. Gold will always hold up. It hit 1930 an ounce this summer and is now back in the 1600s. I thought silver would rise steady, but it has fail from 45 to 32 in the last few weeks, as well as copper has dropped. But, they always hold value unlike a dollar.
Hey there Will. It is probably up there in value now, especially coins from 1795 and 1796. The large cent has a face value or one cent, but in great condition, it can be worth hundreds to thousands. Coins have went us a lot since 1970s. I would be interested Will in seeing what the date is if you don't mind. Great find and thanks.
I had several of the 2 cent coins, half dimes and more from my grandfather and when we were first married and living in an apartment, it was stolen. We never found out who did it nor did we even know when it happened because I did not look at them that often. I discovered the loss one time when I poured out the collection and noticed all of those rare types were missing! Whoever did it took their time in sifting through it. Of course we both worked back then and whoever did it knew they had plenty of time. I had no idea of their value then and will never know but your hub has certainly given me an idea. Voted up, interesting and useful. Sure wish I had those coins today!
Very interesting reading. Didn't even know there were such coins. We have 2 santimes coins here in Riga, Latvia and we always get them confused with the 1 santime ones.
Hello there Peggy. It seems like everyone that has saved a collection has been robbed of it. That is such a shame. I appreciate your time, comment, and vote. It might just be best to let it go as you have. I would be on a path of investigating if I found out those coins were the ones worth thousands. Sorry to hear that Peg.
Hey there Gypsy. It can easily be done. I am going to start a few articles on foreign coins soon. I know American coins, but it will be fun to get to know the other coins from different countries.
Very Impressive Hub! Who knew a coin can be worth so much money!
GCN, thank you very much for reading. It is incedible how these coins have become valuable. I bet they would have been hoarded more if they knew what they were worth today.
manthy Level 4 Commenter 7 months ago
Very good hub voted up and useful ;0)
Have a blessed day