U.S. Two-Cent Coins
(1864 - 1873)
U.S. Two-Cent Coins were introduced during the Civil War to address a severe shortage of circulating coinage. Struck in bronze, the two-cent piece was notable for becoming the first U.S. coin to bear the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST.” Its bold shield design symbolized national unity at a time of division. Although useful for a brief period, the denomination quickly fell out of favor as the economy stabilized, leading to its discontinuation after less than a decade. Today, two-cent coins are valued for their historical significance rather than their time in circulation.
Check out every series of U.S. Two-Cent Coins below, complete with dates & mintages for each.
Two-Cent Coin
(1864 - 1873)
The United States Two-Cent piece was struck from 1864 through 1873 and holds an important place in American coinage history as the first U.S. coin to feature the motto “In God We Trust.” Designed by James B. Longacre, the obverse displays a shield motif symbolizing national unity during the Civil War, while the reverse features a large “2” within a wheat wreath.
Two-cent coins were composed of 95% copper with 5% tin and zinc (bronze). The series includes both Large Motto (1864) and Small Motto (1864) varieties, with the Small Motto being significantly scarcer. Production declined quickly after the Civil War, and the denomination was officially discontinued in 1873.
Though short-lived, the Two-Cent piece remains historically significant for introducing a motto that continues to appear on U.S. coinage today.
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1864 | 19,847,500
1865 | 13,640,000
1866 | 3,177,000
1867 | 2,938,750
1868 | 2,803,750
1869 | 1,546,500
1870 | 861,250
1871 | 721,250
1872 | 65,000
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1864 Proof | 100
1865 Proof | 500
1866 Proof | 725
1867 Proof | 625
1868 Proof | 600
1869 Proof | 600
1870 Proof | 1,000
1871 Proof | 960
1872 Proof | 950
1873 Proof | 600
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