Owner Comments:
The Two Cent Piece was a short-lived denomination that as issued to relieve the shortage of cents in circulation during the Civil War. The coin weighed exactly twice as much was the cent. After the Civil War ended mintages of the Two Cent Piece declined until the coin was deemed unnecessary. Still, the coins that were issued saw a lot of use. High grade circulated examples in grades like EF are quite scarce for dates beyond 1865.
The two cent piece was the first U.S. coin to bear the motto, “In God we trust.” The motto reflected the religious feeling that was sweeping the nation in the wake of the terrible carnage during the Civil War. Overall the Civil war was bloodiest war in our nation’s history. It claimed more than 600 thousand casualties.
There are two major varieties of 1864 dated Two Cent Pieces. The Small Motto variety, which is shown in the left photo frame, was probably issued first. The Small Motto die was used to produce and few pattern pieces and a larger number of business strike coins. It is much scarcer than the Large Motto piece, which is shown in the right photo frame. The easiest way to the tell the difference between the two varieties is to look at the "D" in "GOD." The Small Motto "D" shorter and wider than the Large Motto "D."
In 1866 the motto, In God we trust,” was added to any coins whose existing designs were large enough to accommodate it. That met that motto was not added to cents, both types of three cent pieces, dimes, gold dollars or quarter eagles. It was add usually on a scroll above the eagle on every other contemporary U.S. coin.
The Small Motto coin shown at the left is an MS-64, R&B. The coin has more red than is showing in the photo. The Large Motto piece is an exceptional example with full mint red on both sides.