1865 Two Cent Piece
About This Coin
James B. Longacre’s Two Cent piece remains one of the most distinctive design experiments of the Civil War era, famous for introducing the motto "In God We Trust" to American coinage. Struck in 95% copper, this short-lived series captured the urgency of a nation in conflict, serving as a practical solution to the widespread hoarding of federal coinage.
The 1865 issue represents the second year of the type, minted as the war drew to its close. While circulated examples are relatively common, finding a survivor graded MS64+ by NGC is a different matter. At this near-gem level, the coin represents a degree of preservation that escaped the heavy commerce of the era, offering the crisp details of Longacre's design just as it left the mint.
For the collector of Civil War numismatics or type coins, this piece represents a remarkably clean survivor from a pivotal moment in American history. It is a quiet, historic addition that anchors any advanced collection of nineteenth-century copper.
