2 Cents, United States, 1864

2 Cents, United States, 1864

<< >>
Usage conditions apply
Downloads
Description (Brief)
One (1) 2 cent coin
United States, 1864
Obverse Image: Shield with arrows and laurel wreath behind. Ribbon above shield.
Obverse Text: IN GOD WE TRUST / 1864
Reverse Image: Wreath of wheat.
Reverse Text: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / 2 CENTS
Description
The two-cent piece was a short-lived denomination, minted for just ten years. First produced in 1864, these coins were minted to stabilize the market and assert the federal government’s control of money. Due to increased religious sentiment from the ongoing American Civil War, it became the first coin to carry the words “In God We Trust.”
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
Coin
date made
1864
mint
United States Mint
designer
Longacre, James Barton
place made
United States
place of issue
United States
Physical Description
bronze (overall metal)
0 (overall die axis)
0 (overall die axis measurement)
struck (overall production method)
Measurements
overall:.2 cm x 2.3 cm; 3/32 in x 29/32 in
ID Number
1991.0009.0181
catalog number
1991.0009.0181
accession number
1991.0009
See more items in
Work and Industry: National Numismatic Collection
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Nominate this object for photography.   

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.

Note: Comment submission is temporarily unavailable while we make improvements to the site. We apologize for the interruption. If you have a question relating to the museum's collections, please first check our Collections FAQ. If you require a personal response, please use our Contact page.