USA - Two Cents, Large Motto 1864

November 2024

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A Nice looking 2 Cent piece, with Large Motto, from the end of the Civil War era. This is the first year of issue for this short lived series that was struck until 1873. This example has a toned ares of iridesence. This coin was designed by chief engraver James B. Longacre and it's the first American coin to bear the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST." The shield side is considered the obverse. Expert opinion has stated that this coin has not been dipped or cleaned.
Soon after the start of the Civil War, inflation and hoarding caused small change to disappear from circulation. To facilitate coin production, the Coinage Act of 1864 authorized the issue of bronze one-cent and 2-cent pieces. Having both coins may seem redundant, but in the context of a coin shortage, a 2-cent piece would ease the burden on the cent both in minting and in commerce.
The 2-cent piece is notable because it was the first U.S. coin to carry the motto IN GOD WE TRUST, now present on all denominations. Both bronze coins were immediately popular, but as the monetary chaos subsided, the 2-cent piece became obsolete. Its mintage declined every year until its demise in 1873.