Does anyone here collect 2 cent pieces? How is the market for them?

Longacre

As I write these words, gentle readers, it is a bright new day in Beijing. My first order of business, after having arrived at the office, is to check my emails. To my delight, I received the new coins in the offing by Mark Feld. Included in the list is an excessively attractive 2 cent piece.

Like almost all collectors in existence, I typically scoff at 2 cent pieces. However, this one was really attractive, and the series might be considered a poor man's copper collection, especially given the crazy high prices of early copper.

Does anyone know how the market is for 2 cent pieces? Does anyone here collect them?

RYK

I recommend that you join me in scoffing.

If you see any dirty gold in Beijing, make sure you pick it up for me.

speety

They have always been intriguing to me. My dad bought a complete set (minus the proof only) in matched AU a few weeks back which was kinda cool.

But to answer your question, not really and I have no clue how the market for them is.

FilamCoins

Don't collect them and don't know how the market is, but a trusted dealer went after a couple of 65 reds for my type set recently and we got out bid. If I had to draw a conclusion from this one anecdote, I'd say prices are strong for nice quality examples (probably the same situation for most series I would think). Still pretty warm up in Beijing I suppose? Do you ever get over to Manila?

Goldbully

I have two 1864's ....this is my higher grade(MS64RB) 1864 2¢ piece.
What's not to like???

Longacre

<< <i>Don't collect them and don't know how the market is, but a trusted dealer went after a couple of 65 reds for my type set recently and we got out bid. If I had to draw a conclusion from this one anecdote, I'd say prices are strong for nice quality examples (probably the same situation for most series I would think). Still pretty warm up in Beijing I suppose? Do you ever get over to Manila? >>




Thanks for the comments. Today it will be around 75 or so in Beijing. I have never been to Manila, although in early November I will be in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

FilamCoins

<< <i>

<< <i>Don't collect them and don't know how the market is, but a trusted dealer went after a couple of 65 reds for my type set recently and we got out bid. If I had to draw a conclusion from this one anecdote, I'd say prices are strong for nice quality examples (probably the same situation for most series I would think). Still pretty warm up in Beijing I suppose? Do you ever get over to Manila? >>




Thanks for the comments. Today it will be around 75 or so in Beijing. I have never been to Manila, although in early November I will be in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. >>



KL and S'pore will be hot and humid in Nov (pretty much the same temp all year long). Please look me up if you ever make it to the P.I.

Teva

On a lark about 3-4 years ago I started a set of
PCGS MS RB two cent pieces. It can be more of a challenge than you may think. I not sure what you mean by scoff but no type set is complete without one and if its copper I collect it.
Bottom line is its a short set and I am lazy and I have never
completed a set so its was made for me.

ianrussell

Bowers and Merena had an amazing set of 2 cent pieces in their August Boston auction. There was spirited bidding on the majority of the coins.

- Ian

pennyannie

I have been watching 2 cent pieces for 6 or so months now, they are on my radar screen. I have placed a few low bids and have struck out so far. It is a short series and i plan to start and finish a set. I have thought about having them placed in a NGC multi holder when i get thru. The whole series in 2 holders seem cool to me.

ecichlid

Did someone *yawn* say two...ummm...two cent..

66Tbird

I haven't noticed any big movement in the area I collect, PR in RD, but when I offered one it was gone in minutes and the gentleman gave more than I ask. Great way to be the first I offer to next btw

robkool

I have a complete collection of circulated strikes, not the proofs... The circulated strikes seem to be quiet in terms of movement. Not true on the proof issued ones...

lkeigwin

Here's one I think has been recolored. What a shame. What would you do with it?
Lance.

RichieURich

<< <i>Bowers and Merena had an amazing set of 2 cent pieces in their August Boston auction. There was spirited bidding on the majority of the coins.

- Ian >>



Ian is right, you should go to the auction archives and check them out, nicest 2c pieces I've ever seen. And they brought big money.

joecopper

I collect them. Here is my set.

Date Visual Net
1864 small motto AU58 AU55
1864 large motto MS64 MS63
1865 MS63 MS63
1866 AU55 AU55
1867 MS63Bn MS62Bn
1868 MS62
1869 MS63Bn
1870 MS60 Bn
1871 MS63Bn
1872 Pr63Bn
1873 Closed 3 Pr64BnPCGS

I kind of like them - some old really nice looking stuff for a fraction of Sheldons and even Middle Dates.
The set was completed around mid-04 and values have not really gone up all that much except 64 sm motto and '73

MajorDuty

<< <i>Like almost all collectors in existence, I typically scoff at 2 cent pieces. >>



I didn't realize they were so disliked. Why? I find them to be one of the more beautiful examples of classic coinage.

ChangeInHistory

<< <i>Here's one I think has been recolored. What a shame. What would you do with it?
Lance.

>>



I'd maybe put it in a secondary type set and hope it re-tones to brown over the years.

DBSTrader2

I have to agree with MajorDuty........ I have always found them to be VERY appealing examples of classic coin designs.

A collector friend of the family gave me a few circulated ones when I was a young kid collecting mostly cents thru dimes in my blue Whitman folders. While I never advanced beyond collecting from circulation or buying reasonably-priced (for a youngster) coins to fill holes, I did manage to pick up one or 2 more coins to fill holes in that folder as well.

One day, I'd like to complete the short set (I still need an 1871 & 1872), and maybe even buy myself just one nice, higher-priced example for "show"............

ONE DAY..............

- - Dave


As for what to do with the re-colored 1865? I'd take it (and any other circ's nobody wants) in a heartbeat & give it a good home!

ccrdragon

2 centers have two major redeeming factors in my eyes:
1. they are made of copper
2. they don't have a portrait on the obverse - just classic style with the shield and the motto

don't know much about the market since I have been concentrating my endeavors elsewhere for a few years

Grimes

I follow them closely, especially in MS64 RB. They often trade at levels well above greysheet. Generalizing, premiums (for MS64 RB at auction) average 25% for 1864LM and 1865, 40% for 1866 and 1867, 70% for 1868, and 100% for 1869 through 1872. The small motto and the 1872 usually command premiums in all grades.

The better dates (small motto, 1870, '71, and especially the '72) move quickly in the marketplace.

The proof premiums have come down in the last 12 months, and now average less than 30% in most grades.

As noted by several in this thread, the two cents series' popularity is due to its composition, design, and the fact there are only 10 coins in a complete (business strike) set.

shorecoll

I sold my set last year so they should go through the roof.

Constantine

In viewing 2 centers, it is always like I am looking at two reverses and need to keep flipping it over and over to find the "face".

PTVETTER

I once owned an 1864 large motto in a PCGS ms66rd.

relicsncoins

<< <i>Here's one I think has been recolored. What a shame. What would you do with it?
Lance.

>>



More than recolored, I believe that coin has been wizzed.

nankraut

<< <i>Here's one I think has been recolored. What a shame. What would you do with it?
Lance.

>>



Yup....cleaned and re-colored. Put it in a Dansco for a couple yrs; or use it as a pocket piece/golf ball marker for awhile.