1864–1873 Two Cent 2-pc Decades Set G–VG

Secure A Two-Cent 19th Century Decades Set

The Two Cent Piece was struck from 1864 to 1873 and was one of the shortest-lived coin series in United States coinage history. It also carried the motto IN GOD WE TRUST for the first time on U.S. coins. What we have here is a two-piece Decades Set that includes a Two-Cent Coin from each decade the coin was struck in the1860s and 1880s.

Did God Take Sides In The Civil War?

After the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, coinage virtually disappeared in the United States. People feared the worst and held on tightly to their precious metals. So, for just nine years, from 1864 to 1873, the U.S. Mint struck a copper Two-Cent Piece, and it was readily embraced by the American public. More importantly, it was the very first coin in U.S. history to ever display the motto “In God We Trust.” The coin was struck as a way to show that God was on the side of the Union during the Civil War and that the lives “sacrificed upon the altar of freedom” had not died in vain. As such, the coin also served as a unifying force for citizens who felt that their lives and country were at risk during the war. Unfortunately, the piece didn’t last—with the release of the Three Cent Nickel in 1865 and the Shield Nickel in 1866, the Two-Cent Piece became less and less used and was finally abolished by the Coin Act of 1873!

Nice, Good To Very Good Condition

Each Two-Cent coin available here was struck at the “Mother Mint” in Philadelphia and comes in Good to Very Good (G–VG) condition—which means they lined the pockets of the public nearly 150 years ago. Acquiring these genuine coins just makes good “cents.” But with only a limited supply available, you’ll need to secure yours now before they’re all gone! Dates will vary.