Two Cents 1865, Coin from United States - detailed information

Two Cents 1865, Coin from United States (withdrawn 1873)
CoinTwo Cents 1865

The United States two-cent coin was a short-lived denomination of a United States dollar. The two-cent piece, designed by James B. Longacre, was produced for circulation from 1864 to 1872 and for collectors in 1873, with decreasing mintages each year as other minor coins such as the nickel (5¢) proved more popular. It was abolished by the Mint Act of 1873.

The economic turmoil of the American Civil War caused government-issued coins, even the non-silver Indian Head cent, to vanish from circulation, hoarded by the public. One means of filling this gap was private token issues, often made of bronze. Despite opposition, Congress passed the Coinage Act of 1864, authorising bronze cents and two-cent pieces.

Although initially popular in the absence of other federal coinage, the two-cent piece's place in circulation was usurped by other non-precious metal coins which Congress subsequently authorised, the three-cent piece and the nickel. It was abolished in 1873; large quantities were redeemed by the government and melted. Nevertheless, two-cent pieces remain inexpensive by the standards of 19th-century American coinage.

The coins were only struck by the Philadelphia Mint, with no mint mark.

MintPhiladelphia Mint Mint MarkNo mint mark Total Mintage 13,640,000 (13.6 million)
Obverse
United States / Two Cents 1865 - obverse photo

The obverse design shows, within a beaded border, Longacre's version of the Great Seal of the United States.

His design focuses on the shield, or escutcheon, as a defensive weapon, signifying strength and self-protection through unity. The upper part of the shield, or "chief", symbolises Congress, while the 13 vertical stripes, or "paleways", represent the states (originally, there were 13 states); consequently the entire escutcheon symbolises the strength of the federal government through the unity of the states.

The crossed arrows represent non-aggression, but imply readiness against attack. The laurel branches around, taken from Greek tradition, symbolise victory. In heraldic engraving, vertical lines represent red, clear areas white and horizontal lines blue, thus the escutcheon is coloured red, white and blue and is meant to evoke the American flag.

The ribbon above the shield is inscribed with the national motto IN GOD WE TRUST; below the shield, the date of issue: 1865.

Obverse Inscription IN GOD WE TRUST 1865
Reverse
United States / Two Cents 1865 - reverse photo

Within a beaded border, the reverse contains the value and denomination 2 CENTS at centre, surrounded by an ornate wheat wreath.

Around above, the name of the country: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Reverse Inscription 2 CENTS UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
EdgePlainEdge InscriptionNone
Notes

Proof mintage is an estimate.

Two Cents 1865: Known varieties
Variety Fancy 5
Mintage Issued: unknown (included in total)
Details

The tip of the 5 in the date is curved.

Variety Proof
Images United States / Two Cents 1865 / Proof - obverse photo United States / Two Cents 1865 / Proof - reverse photo
Mintage Issued: 500
Advertising
Buy Austrian Silver Philharmonics Online
Buy Austrian Silver Philharmonics Online
My Collection
Please sign up and/or log in.
You will then be able to manage your collection and record whether you have or want this coin.
Two Cents 1865: Details
CountryUnited States
CurrencyUS Dollar
Coin TypeTwo Cents
Issued1865
SymbolShield of the Coat of Arms of the United States
Face Value2 (x Cent)
Circulation Mintage13,640,000 (13.6 million)
Total Mintage13,640,000 (13.6 million)
CurrentNo; withdrawn 1873
MaterialBronze
DesignerJames Barton Longacre
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationCoin Alignment (Axis 6)
Size23.0000 mm
Thickness1.800 mm
Mass6.2200 g
OCC IDAPVZ-EYRC-GJGA-OLMD
Search Similar Coins to Buy (Affiliate Ad)
Share or Bookmark this Page
Two Cents 1865: Photos
ImageDetails
Two Cents 1865: Photo 2 Cent 1865 Proof / thumbnail 2 Cent 1865 Proof
Copyright: Paradime Coins
Notes: Proof.
Source
Two Cents 1865: Photo 2 Cent 1865 Proof / thumbnail 2 Cent 1865 Proof
Copyright: Paradime Coins
Notes: Proof.
Source
Two Cents 1865: Photo Coin, United States, 2 Cents 1865 / thumbnail Coin, United States, 2 Cents 1865
Copyright: NumisCorner.com
Source
Two Cents 1865: Photo Coin, United States, 2 Cents 1865 / thumbnail Coin, United States, 2 Cents 1865
Copyright: NumisCorner.com
Source
Two Cents 1865: Catalogue Reference IDs
SourceReference ID
Krause, Standard Catalog of World CoinsUnited States KM# 94