Rare Coins Daily Rare coin guides and inquiries

TWO-CENT PIECE

1864–1873
FIRST IN GOD WE TRUST • SMALL MOTTO • LARGE MOTTO • 1872 • PROOF-ONLY 1873
SORTING LEGEND
P1Pull Immediately / Authenticate
P2Check Carefully / Better Date
P3Common / Condition Pull
SMSmall Motto
LMLarge Motto
PRProof
BRZBronze
AUTHAuthenticate
ESSENTIAL TOOLS
Microscope
or 10x loupe
0.01g
Scale
Good
Lighting
Reference
Guide
1P1 MONEY COINS
Date / IssuePri.What To Check
1864 Small MottoP1Key first-year variety
1864 Large MottoP3Common first-year type
1871P2Low mintage late date
1872P1Key business strike
1873 Closed 3 ProofP1Proof-only final year
Major errorsP2Off-center/broadstrike examples

1864 Small Motto

1864 Small Motto placeholder

Key first-year variety

1864 Large Motto

1864 Large Motto placeholder

Common first-year type

1871

1871 placeholder

Low mintage late date

1872

1872 placeholder

Key business strike

2TYPE GUIDE
Type / EraYearsDiagnostic
Small Motto1864Small IN GOD WE TRUST lettering
Large Motto1864–1872Larger motto lettering
Proof-only final year1873Proof-only issue
TWO-CENT PIECE obverse placeholderOBVERSE
TWO-CENT PIECE reverse placeholderREVERSE
Image note: Internet-hosted image placeholders are included. Replace with licensed/local images in production.
3KEY DATE CHART
Date / GroupPri.Notes
1864 Small MottoP1Key variety
1871P2Better date
1872P1Key business strike
1873 ProofP1Proof-only
Sorting tip: Identify type first, then check date, mintmark/edge, surface quality, and variety diagnostics.
4STRIKE & CONDITION DIAGNOSTICS
FeaturePull If / Check
MottoSmall vs Large Motto
ShieldStrong shield lines
ReverseWreath and denomination detail
ColorOriginal bronze color
SurfacesAvoid cleaning/corrosion
Condition rule: Original surfaces and problem-free coins usually beat cleaned or damaged examples, even on better dates.
5VARIETIES & ERROR COINS
Variety / ErrorPri.What To Look For
1864 Small MottoP1Motto size
1873 Open/Closed 3P2Date style proof variety
Repunched datesP2Specialist interest
Major errorsP2Broadstrikes/off-center
variety placeholderVARIETY CHECK
reverse diagnostic placeholderREVERSE / EDGE
6QUICK SORT CHECKLIST

CHECK FIRST

  1. 1864 Small Motto
  2. 1871
  3. 1872
  4. 1873 Proof
  5. Open/Closed 3
  6. Original color
  7. Strong shield
  8. Major errors
Fast workflow: type → date → mintmark/edge → weight/specs → variety → condition → authenticate P1 finds.
Authenticate: P1 rarities, famous varieties, proofs, and expensive high-grade pieces before sale.
SORT SMART. VERIFY MAJOR FINDS. NEVER CLEAN COLLECTIBLE COINS.
Primary source: https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/category/two-cents/two-cent-1864-1873/671
Notice Updated