Coin details
About this coin
The 1864 Two-Cent Piece holds a pivotal place in U.S. numismatic history as the first coin to bear the national motto "IN GOD WE TRUST." Authorized by the Coinage Act of April 22, 1864, Short lived denomination to alleviate severe wartime coin shortages.
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First-Year Civil War Issue
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First U.S. Coin with "IN GOD WE TRUST"
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Choice Original Uncirculated Brown Luster
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Full Shield Lines & Sharp Motto Detail
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Variety: Large Motto (Regular Strike / Business Issue).
Attribution Diagnostics: The lettering in "WE" is tall, curved, and wide-set, with the "D" in "GOD" featuring a heavy serif. The ribbon scroll features the classic Large Motto profile, where the leftmost leaves of the wreath beneath the banner lack the distinct prototype stem seen only on the rare Small Motto variety.
Surface Analysis: This piece displays crisp design relief across the shield, cross-hatching, and horizontal lines. The obverse retains full vertical shield lines and strong leaf definition on both sides of the banner. The reverse features sharp, well-defined leaves and full clarity on the central "2 CENTS" denomination and surrounding wheat/laurel wreath. The coin exhibits a pleasing, natural chocolate-brown patina with consistent depth and no visual signs of harsh cleaning or altered surfaces.
Population & Technical Overview
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Mintage (All 1864 Business Strikes): 19,847,500
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Estimated Survival (All Grades): ~20,000
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PCGS Population (MS60 or Better, Brown): ~2,000
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NGC Population (MS60 or Better, Brown): ~1,800