Two-Cent Piece

1864–1873

The first US coin to bear the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST," proposed by Mint Director James Pollock and approved in 1864 amid Civil War-era religious sentiment. Struck for only ten years before losing public favor to the nickel five-cent piece and the redesigned Indian Head cent, its final year (1873) was proof-only -- the denomination was retired before any coins were struck for circulation that year.