Price Guide for 1864 Two Cents Variants
This guide presents price ranges for variants from three sources: eBay sales, third-party auctions, and PCGS guides. Values are shown for various conditions, allowing collectors to compare across different market segments. Price estimates may vary between sources, especially for rarer variants.
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $27.00 – $1,866.00Uncirculated: $380.00 – $5,287.50
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eBayCirculated: $16.55 – $1,450.00Uncirculated: $87.00 – $3,550.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $75.00 – $1,700.00Uncirculated: $1,725.00 – $7,750.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $8,800.00 – $54,050.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $12,500.00 – $62,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $8.00 – $8,050.00Uncirculated: $39.50 – $7,343.75
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eBayCirculated: $2.25 – $700.00Uncirculated: $28.50 – $550.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $21.00 – $145.00Uncirculated: $150.00 – $9,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1,100.00Uncirculated: $15.50 – $10,925.00
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eBayUncirculated: $390.00 – $3,375.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $400.00 – $8,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $25.00 – $200.00Uncirculated: $54.00 – $4,888.00
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eBayUncirculated: $54.51 – $1,899.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $160.00 – $11,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $92.00Uncirculated: $15.75 – $14,950.00
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eBayUncirculated: $1,600.00 – $2,750.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,850.00 – $11,250.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $41.00 – $63,000.00
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eBayUncirculated: $109.59 – $3,550.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $3,750.00 – $41,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $550.00 – $2,200.00Uncirculated: $242.00 – $19,975.00
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eBayCirculated: $95.00 – $100.00Uncirculated: $273.00 – $3,450.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $200.00 – $27,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $89.00Uncirculated: $192.00
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eBayCirculated: $50.00 – $99.00Uncirculated: $350.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $45.00 – $160.00Uncirculated: $180.00 – $675.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,337.00 – $2,875.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $500.00 – $2,350.00
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eBayCirculated: $275.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $26.00 – $160.00Uncirculated: $170.00 – $700.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $216.00
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eBayCirculated: $6.09Uncirculated: $330.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $150.00 – $170.00Uncirculated: $175.00 – $750.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $408.00 – $576.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $170.00 – $317.25Uncirculated: $384.00
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eBayCirculated: $92.00 – $169.00Uncirculated: $650.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $275.00 – $435.00Uncirculated: $450.00 – $1,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $528.00 – $1,380.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $650.00 – $2,750.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $3,240.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $800.00 – $5,500.00
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eBayCirculated: $70.00 – $181.00Uncirculated: $241.50 – $295.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $25.00 – $155.00Uncirculated: $160.00 – $675.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $360.00
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eBayUncirculated: $295.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $400.00 – $2,250.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $408.00Uncirculated: $1,275.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $200.00 – $560.00Uncirculated: $580.00 – $2,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $198.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $230.00 – $420.00Uncirculated: $435.00 – $1,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $239.00 – $1,527.50Uncirculated: $525.00 – $3,240.00
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eBayCirculated: $299.00 – $432.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $175.00 – $1,700.00Uncirculated: $1,725.00 – $5,250.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,800.00 – $5,280.00
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eBayUncirculated: $3,299.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,800.00 – $11,250.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $3,525.00 – $78,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $3,750.00 – $23,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $16,500.00 – $112,125.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $57,500.00 – $140,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $36,800.00 – $105,750.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $85,000.00 – $145,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $3.50 – $15,600.00
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eBayUncirculated: $799.00 – $4,500.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $475.00 – $17,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,265.00 – $12,650.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $600.00 – $20,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $2,300.00 – $43,200.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $6,000.00 – $38,500.00
Design and Specifications of the 1864 Two Cents
The 1864 Two Cent piece holds a significant place in American numismatic history. It was the first coin to bear the motto ‘IN GOD WE TRUST’, which later became standard on U.S. coinage. This addition was largely due to increased religious sentiment during the Civil War.
The Two Cent piece was introduced in 1864 as a response to the coin shortage caused by the Civil War. It was minted for only ten years, making it one of the shortest-lived denominations in U.S. coinage history.
| Weight | 6.22 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 23 mm |
| Mint Marks | None (All minted in Philadelphia) |
| Composition | 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc |
| Obverse Design | Shield with crossed arrows and olive branch, designed by James B. Longacre |
| Reverse Design | Wreath encircling '2 CENTS', designed by James B. Longacre |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of 1864 Two Cent pieces significantly impacts their value. While lower grade specimens are relatively common, coins in Mint State condition command substantial premiums. The quality of the strike is particularly important, as many examples show weakness in the central design elements.
Red copper specimens, which retain their original mint luster, are highly prized and much rarer than brown examples. The presence of original red color can dramatically increase the coin’s value, especially in grades MS63 and above.
Mintage: 19,847,500
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Scarce in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: Small Motto and Large Motto varieties
Market Demand: Moderate, with high demand for high-grade specimens and varieties
The 1864 Two Cent piece is known for two major varieties: the Small Motto and Large Motto. The Small Motto variety is considerably rarer and more valuable. Collectors should look for differences in the size and positioning of ‘IN GOD WE TRUST’ to distinguish between these varieties.
Die states and errors can also affect value. Some coins show doubled dies or repunched dates, which can command significant premiums. Additionally, proof specimens of the 1864 Two Cent piece are extremely rare and highly sought after by advanced collectors.
