United States Two Cent Piece Value Guide

The United States Two Cent Piece is a historic Civil War-era coin designed by James B. Longacre to address national coin shortages. It holds a unique place in numismatic history as the first American denomination to feature the motto 'IN GOD WE TRUST' upon its shield design.

What Is United States Two Cent Piece Worth?

The typical price range for United States Two Cent Piece is $18 - $20 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Condition and wear, particularly on the fine lines of the shield and the motto lettering.
• Rarity of the specific mint year, as production declined significantly before the 1873 discontinuation.
• The presence of 'Small Motto' vs 'Large Motto' varieties on the 1864 issues.
• Overall eye appeal and the preservation of the original copper luster.

How to Identify United States Two Cent Piece?

• Look for the prominent shield design on the obverse surrounded by a laurel wreath.
• Verify the composition of 95% copper with a 5% blend of tin and zinc.
• Check for the 'IN GOD WE TRUST' motto appearing on a ribbon above the shield.
• Confirm the date falls within the specific production range of 1864 to 1873.

History of United States Two Cent Piece

Designed by James B. Longacre and first minted in 1864, the Two Cent Piece was a response to the coin shortage caused by the American Civil War. It holds the historic distinction of being the first United States coin to bear the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. Despite its initial popularity, the denomination was short-lived and was officially discontinued by the Mint Act of 1873.