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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.
Every date below is a recognised key date or variety. Common dates from the same series are worth far less and are usually valued closer to their metal content.
How many of each were struck — the shortest bar is the scarcest date in the series.
Bars are scaled to keep the smallest mintages visible; the exact figure is printed on every row. Mintage is coins struck, not coins surviving — melting and circulation wear thin those numbers further.
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About Two-Cent Piece values
The 1864 tops this series: a top-grade example is estimated around $125,000. Condition drives that figure — the same date in worn condition is worth a fraction of it, which is why each guide shows a range rather than a single number.
By mintage, the 1873 is the scarcest key date tracked here, with 600 struck. Mintage is coins struck rather than coins surviving, though — melting and circulation wear thin those numbers further, so survival estimates run lower still.
This guide covers 7 key dates and varieties from the Two-Cent Piece series (1864–1873). Common dates from the same series are worth far less and are usually valued closer to their metal content.
Grading takes practice, and the gap between adjacent grades is real money on a key date. Compare your coin against the photographs on each date's page, and for anything potentially valuable consider having it certified by PCGS or NGC — a graded coin settles both authenticity and condition in one step.
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Every US series with key dates priced here.
