This might be one of the most beautiful Two Cent Pieces I've ever come across

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WingedLiberty1957
WingedLiberty1957 Posts: 3,014 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
1869 Two Cent Piece (PCGS PR65BN). Just nabbed this Proof Two Cent Piece on Sunday. It might be one of the most beautiful Two Centers I've ever come across. The Two Cent Piece was the first U.S. Coin to carry the motto "In God We Trust", which first started on U.S. coinage in 1864 during the final years of the Civil War. However not all U.S. coins carried that motto until 1938, after the Buffalo Nickel ended its run.

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The Shield design on the obverse (by Longacre) was modeled after the Great Seal of the United States. The vertical lines (6 lines and 7 spaces) in the bottom part of the shield represent the 13 original colonies -- and the horizontal lines at the top of the shield represent the Federal Government (Congress). So together it's supposed to symbolize the strength of our nation. The crossed arrows represent nonaggression, but imply readiness against attack. The laurel branches, taken from Greek tradition, symbolize victory. The vertical lines were supposed to represent red, clear areas white and horizontal lines blue, thus the shield is (in theory) colored red, white and blue and is meant to evoke the American flag.

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The coin was not very popular with the masses, which led to its short run (only 10 years total) and steadily falling mintage totals every year. All Two Cent Pieces were produced at the Philadelphia mint, therefore no mintmarks are found.

Two Cent Piece (Mintage Totals)
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Comments

  • Kyle
    Kyle Posts: 1,822 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Congrats! It's a really nice piece. I especially love that reverse toning.
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  • mannie gray
    mannie gray Posts: 7,259 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Nice writeup.

    I've always liked two-centers.

    Stunningly beautiful coin!

    Hard to imagine a prettier one.

    Wow.......
  • WingedLiberty1957
    WingedLiberty1957 Posts: 3,014 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    1864 Two Cent Piece (PCGS MS64RB). A more traditional looking Two Center from the 1st year of issue (1864). I bought this Mint State Circulation Strike a few years ago.

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  • leothelyon
    leothelyon Posts: 8,568 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    And only a PR65BN? Do you have it now? What could be holding it back from a PR66BN or even a PLUS? Waiting for your pictures. Well, you can scratch the last request......


    Leo

    The more qualities observed in a coin, the more desirable that coin becomes!

    My Jefferson Nickel Collection

  • WingedLiberty1957
    WingedLiberty1957 Posts: 3,014 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Nice comments!! Thanks all.

    Those PR66's from the 1800's are tough and rare. I wonder if perhaps it's because Proofs were so cheap to acquire, they weren't taken care of as well. They might have been considered sort of a mundane quantity -- and perhaps tossed in cabinets and the like. (what's that old term "Cabinet Friction"?). I like the PR65 level for proofs from the 1800's as they are cheaper and sometimes look just as nice as their much more expensive PR66 and PR67 brethren. You usually can't see the flaws on PR65's until you blow them up the size of dinner plates (the wonders of digital photography) as above.

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  • TopographicOceans
    TopographicOceans Posts: 6,535 ✭✭✭✭
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    Pretty coin
  • Outhaul
    Outhaul Posts: 7,440 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Finding a truly appealing 2¢ piece is difficult. The two above nailed it. Both very nice.

    Cheers

    Bob
  • bamorgan
    bamorgan Posts: 46 ✭✭
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    That is one beautiful coin!

    Thank you for the history around the two cent piece, and congratulations on the nice addition.

    BAmorgan
  • etexmike
    etexmike Posts: 6,852 ✭✭✭
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    That is a beautiful piece of copper.



    Congrats on the addition.





    Mike
  • Boosibri
    Boosibri Posts: 12,715 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    pretty

    Latin American Collection

  • Yorkshireman
    Yorkshireman Posts: 4,616 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    A stunner!
    Yorkshireman,Obsessed collector of round, metallic pieces of history.Hunting for Latin American colonial portraits plus cool US & British coins.
  • CaptHenway
    CaptHenway Posts: 34,166 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Gorgeous!
    Professional Numismatist, Retired. 55 year member ANA. Former ANA Senior Authenticator. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and ANA Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner of the PNG's 2026 Robert Friedberg Award for "The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922," Available now from Whitman or Amazon.
  • robec
    robec Posts: 7,051 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Both 2 centers are gorgeous!!



    I absolutely love the proof. Great pickup!



    It's a perfect fit for your Color of Money Set.

    - Bob -

    MPL's - Lincolns of Colorimage
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  • asheland
    asheland Posts: 24,545 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Excellent!

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  • ElmerFusterpuck
    ElmerFusterpuck Posts: 4,908 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I just looked over my 2 cent pieces and realized I almost have the complete set! None look anywhere as good as your though. This series is the definition of short set; other than the 1873, all are obtainable with some patience. Seems like the market has been pretty quiet for the 2 centers for some time.

    10-4,
    Erik
    My registry sets

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  • ricko
    ricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I have not seen many proof Two Cent pieces.... very few even on the show circuit in Seattle

    when I lived there.. Congratulations.... Cheers, RickO
  • guitarwes
    guitarwes Posts: 9,308 ✭✭✭
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    Wow what a looker!
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  • lkeigwin
    lkeigwin Posts: 16,895 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Beautiful! Both of them.

    Lance.
    Coin Photography Services / Everyman Registry set / BHNC #213
  • Jackthecat1
    Jackthecat1 Posts: 1,122 ✭✭✭
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    Outstanding pieces.
    Member ANS, ANA, GSNA, TNC



    image
  • Walkerfan
    Walkerfan Posts: 10,391 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Both 2 cent pieces are nice, although the first one is likely a rarer date.



    I enjoyed viewing them and reading the write-up by the OP.

    Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍

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  • DollarAfterDollar
    DollarAfterDollar Posts: 3,217 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Very pretty.
    If you do what you always did, you get what you always got.
  • BillJones
    BillJones Posts: 35,933 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    This 1864 Small Motto Two Cent Piece is quite attractive.

    imageimage
    Retired dealer and avid collector of U.S. type coins, 19th century presidential campaign medalets and selected medals. In recent years I have been working on a set of British coins - at least one coin from each king or queen who issued pieces that are collectible. I am also collecting at least one coin for each Roman emperor from Julius Caesar to ... ?
  • Justacommeman
    Justacommeman Posts: 22,852 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Nice!!!!



    Here is a dearly departed coin of mine



    mark



    image
    Walker Proof Digital Album
    Fellas, leave the tight pants to the ladies. If I can count the coins in your pockets you better use them to call a tailor. Stay thirsty my friends......
  • bolivarshagnasty
    bolivarshagnasty Posts: 7,359 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Congrats WL! Great looking 2 centers.
  • keyman64
    keyman64 Posts: 15,650 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Fantastic coin, WL! You too, Mark. image
    "If it's not fun, it's not worth it." - KeyMan64
    Not really looking for much these days but if I were, it might be a toner. :smile:
  • mercurydimeguy
    mercurydimeguy Posts: 4,634 ✭✭✭✭
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    image
  • SeattleSlammer
    SeattleSlammer Posts: 10,125 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Very cool thanks for sharing...I like the RB example best as I'm always a bit skeptical of bright blue/purple copper.
  • oih82w8
    oih82w8 Posts: 13,208 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Did eye protection come with that 1869 2C Proof?



    Dazzling!
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  • Raybo
    Raybo Posts: 5,362 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    You are a man after my own heart WL! image
  • Raybo
    Raybo Posts: 5,362 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Here's an image of my '72.

    image
  • davewesen
    davewesen Posts: 6,982 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I love old high end copper and MS70.
  • cardinal
    cardinal Posts: 2,005 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Thanks for giving your two two-cents on the topic! Beautiful pieces!

    I have just a single two-cent piece, the most attractive one I had seen a couple years ago --

    image
  • SeattleSlammer
    SeattleSlammer Posts: 10,125 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Cardinal, wowsers, terrific example.
  • steveben
    steveben Posts: 4,666 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    wow
  • crazyhounddog
    crazyhounddog Posts: 14,250 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I have got to agree with you. That 2 cent piece is thee BOMB !! Very, very nice indeed. Great imaging too.image

    This one get the big Chuck thumbs up !!

    image
    The bitterness of "Poor Quality" is remembered long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.

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