Two Cent Coins — Civil War Origins, Design & Collector Guide
Origins of the Two Cent Coin
The two cent coin occupies a brief but consequential chapter in American monetary history. Struck from 1864 to 1873, it was the first U.S. coin to bear the motto "In God We Trust" — an inscription that would go on to appear on virtually every piece of American currency issued since. For collectors, that singular distinction alone makes the series worth understanding, but the two cent piece offers considerably more than a footnote: it is a well-designed, historically rich coin with genuine numismatic depth across its short run.
Its creation was a direct response to the financial disruptions of the Civil War. As the conflict dragged on, Americans hoarded coins aggressively, knowing that hard metal held its value far better than the paper currency flooding the economy. Small change effectively disappeared from circulation. Congress authorized the two cent coin in April 1864 as part of a broader effort to restore everyday commerce. Composed of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc, weighing 6.22 grams with a 23mm diameter, it was sturdier and more practical than the fractional paper notes that had been filling the gap.
Design by James B. Longacre
Chief Engraver James B. Longacre created the coin's design, and his choices were deliberate and symbolically loaded. The obverse features a Union shield at center — a direct visual reference to national unity and military resolve during the war — flanked by arrows below and a laurel branch above, combining the imagery of conflict and peace. Above the shield, a scroll bears the new motto "In God We Trust" in raised lettering. The design's density communicates seriousness and purpose in a way that few U.S. coin designs of the era match.
The reverse is comparatively restrained: a wheat wreath encircles the denomination "2 CENTS," with "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" around the periphery. Longacre went through several design iterations before the final version was approved, and early 1864 issues are known in both Small Motto and Large Motto varieties — a distinction that has become one of the more actively collected varieties in 19th-century U.S. coinage. The Small Motto variety is significantly scarcer and commands a meaningful premium over the more common Large Motto coins.
Production History and Decline
Initial mintages were strong. The first year of production in 1864 saw over 19 million coins struck, reflecting genuine commercial demand as the coin moved into circulation alongside the fractional currency it was meant to supplement. Mintages remained respectable through the late 1860s, but began declining sharply as post-war economic recovery reduced the urgency for alternative small change. By 1872, production had fallen to under 65,000 coins, and the 1873 issue was struck entirely as proofs — no business strikes were made in the coin's final year.
The Mint discontinued the two cent piece with the Coinage Act of 1873, which rationalized and streamlined the U.S. coin series. Total production across the entire run was approximately 45 million coins, but attrition through circulation, loss, and melting has left far fewer surviving today — particularly in grades above Fine. The series ran for just a decade, which gives it an appealing completeness for set builders while ensuring that key dates remain genuinely challenging to find in high grades.
Key Dates and Collector Value
The most important variety in the series is the 1864 Small Motto, identifiable by the smaller lettering on the "IN GOD WE TRUST" scroll compared to the more common Large Motto coins issued the same year. In circulated grades the premium is noticeable; in Mint State it is substantial. Beyond that, the late-date issues — particularly 1871 and 1872 — carry strong premiums due to low surviving populations, and the 1873 proof-only issue is a required coin for any serious complete set.
For collectors entering the series, the common-date Large Motto coins from the mid-1860s are affordable and widely available in circulated grades. Building toward a complete date set is achievable, though finishing with the 1864 Small Motto, 1872, and 1873 proof requires patience and meaningful investment. For certified values by date and grade, the FRC Coin Price Guide is a solid research starting point. For a broader look at related series, see our guides to large cents and half cents.
Grading and Certification
Two cent pieces present several grading considerations worth understanding before buying. The shield on the obverse is the primary focal point for wear assessment — the horizontal lines within the shield and the fine detail on the arrows are the first areas to show friction in circulation. On high-grade examples, the full complement of shield lines should be visible and sharp. Weakness in strike is also a factor on this series; even some uncirculated pieces show incomplete detail on the shield lines due to insufficient striking pressure rather than wear, so strike quality should be evaluated independently of technical grade.
Cleaned examples are prevalent in the two cent piece market, as the copper alloy tones readily and many coins were "improved" by well-meaning but uninformed past owners. PCGS and NGC certification is strongly recommended for any example graded Fine or above, and is essentially mandatory for the key dates and the 1873 proof. Certified coins trade more predictably and eliminate the risk of paying full price for a coin with problems.
"In God We Trust" — A Lasting Legacy
The decision to place "In God We Trust" on the two cent coin was proposed by Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase in response to religious sentiment that had grown powerful during the war. Petitions from ministers and citizens called for a national acknowledgment of divine providence on the country's currency, and Chase directed the Mint to develop a suitable motto. After some back-and-forth over wording and design, "In God We Trust" appeared for the first time on the 1864 two cent piece. The motto spread to other denominations in subsequent years and became universal on U.S. currency by the mid-20th century — making the two cent piece the original and foundational coin for one of the most recognized phrases in American civic life.
Find Two Cent Coins for Your Collection
Whether you're starting with a common Large Motto example or searching for the scarce 1864 Small Motto, certified pieces are available on eBay with buyer protection. Browse numismatic references on Amazon to deepen your research before buying.
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Where to Find Two Cent Coins
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Find reference books, coin albums, storage supplies, and numismatic guides to support your two cent piece research and collection-building journey.
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Research certified values for two cent pieces by date and variety before you buy or sell. A free reference built for serious collectors.
View Price GuideFrequently Asked Questions
Why was the two cent coin created?
The two cent coin was authorized by Congress in April 1864 as a direct response to the coin shortages caused by the Civil War. Widespread hoarding of metal currency had effectively removed small change from everyday commerce, making routine transactions difficult. The new coin — struck in a copper-heavy alloy rather than precious metal — was intended to circulate freely without being hoarded for its intrinsic value, helping restore the flow of small transactions while paper fractional currency handled larger denominations.
Was the two cent piece the first U.S. coin to say "In God We Trust"?
Yes. The 1864 two cent piece was the first U.S. coin to bear the motto "In God We Trust." The inscription was introduced at the urging of Treasury Secretary Salmon P. Chase, who had received numerous petitions from religious groups during the Civil War calling for a national acknowledgment of faith on American currency. After testing several design options, the Mint placed the motto on the two cent coin's obverse scroll, where it appeared for the first time in 1864. The phrase subsequently spread to other denominations and became legally required on all U.S. currency in 1955.
What is the difference between the 1864 Small Motto and Large Motto two cent coins?
Both varieties were produced in 1864, but the Small Motto coins were struck earlier in the year from dies with noticeably smaller lettering on the "IN GOD WE TRUST" scroll. The Large Motto — with bolder, more prominent lettering — became the standard and was used for all subsequent years. The Small Motto 1864 is significantly scarcer than the Large Motto and commands a meaningful premium in all grades. The distinction is visible to the naked eye once you know what to look for, and certified examples from PCGS or NGC will note the variety on the label.
Which two cent coin dates are the most valuable?
The 1864 Small Motto is the most important variety and the primary key to the series. Among later dates, the 1871 and 1872 are notably scarce in all grades due to low mintages, and the 1873 was struck only as proofs — making it a required piece for a complete set but one that exists only in collector-grade condition. Common-date Large Motto coins from the mid-1860s are the most affordable entry points. For current certified values by date, see the FRC Coin Price Guide.
Are two cent coins made of copper?
Yes. Two cent coins are composed of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc — the same bronze alloy used for Indian Head cents of the same era. The coin weighs 6.22 grams and measures 23mm in diameter, making it larger than the one-cent piece but smaller than a quarter. Because of the high copper content, two cent pieces are susceptible to environmental toning and corrosion over time, and many surviving examples show natural patina ranging from warm brown to darker chocolate tones. Original surfaces are generally preferred by collectors over cleaned or artificially brightened coins.
Why did the U.S. stop making two cent coins?
The Coinage Act of 1873 eliminated several low-demand denominations as part of a broader rationalization of the U.S. coin series, and the two cent piece was among them. By the late 1860s, post-war economic recovery had restored normal coin circulation, removing the commercial urgency that had justified the coin's creation. Annual mintages had already dropped dramatically — from over 19 million in 1864 to under 65,000 by 1872 — signaling that demand had largely evaporated. The 1873 issue was produced only as proofs, effectively a ceremonial final year before the denomination was formally discontinued.
How should I store two cent coins to preserve their condition?
The copper-heavy alloy in two cent coins makes them more reactive to environmental conditions than silver or gold coins. Store them in inert, PVC-free flips or airtite holders — PVC off-gasses over time and causes green, sticky damage to copper surfaces that is very difficult to reverse. Avoid handling coins with bare hands, as skin oils accelerate toning. A cool, stable, low-humidity environment is ideal. For high-grade or key-date examples, keeping them in original PCGS or NGC slabs is the safest long-term storage option, as the sealed holders provide a stable microenvironment.
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