2 Cents "Union Shield"

Features

Issuer	United States
Period	Federal republic (1776-date)
Type	Standard circulation coins
Years	1864-1873
Value	2 Cents (0.02 USD)
Currency	Dollar (1785-date)
Composition	Bronze (95% Cu, 5% Sn and Zn)
Weight	6.22 g
Diameter	23 mm
Thickness	1.8 mm
Shape	Round
Technique	Milled
Orientation	Coin alignment ↑↓
Number	N# 2296
References	PCGS# 3576-3585, 3587-3599, etc. PCGS CoinFacts (https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts) , Greysheet# 2674-2766, 70609, etc. Greysheet (https://www.greysheet.com/coin-prices) , KM# 94 Standard Catalog of World Coins (86 volumes).

See 50 swap offers

View sale offers

Obverse

Shield in a wreath and the United States motto

Script: Latin

Lettering:
IN GOD WE TRUST
1871

Engraver: James Barton Longacre

Reverse

Face value in a wheat ears wreath and country name

Script: Latin

Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
2
CENTS

Engraver: James Barton Longacre

Edge

Plain

Mint

United States Mint of Philadelphia, United States (1792-date)

Comments

The standard weight of this coin was 96 grains, twice the weight of the bronze 1 cent.
The 1864 two-cent piece was the first United States coin to carry the motto, "In God We Trust".

The two distinct "5" on the 1865 coin:

1867 Double Die Obverse

Harryg
1869 Double Die Obverse

Harryg

1873

Manage my collection

Please sign in or create an account to manage your collection.

Date	Mintage	G	VG	F	VF	XF	AU	UNC		Frequency
Undetermined
1864	19 847 500	$ 9.60	$ 15	$ 17	$ 20	$ 42	$ 76	$ 190	large motto; mintage includes small motto	54%
1864		$ 150	$ 220						small motto	4%
1864	100								large motto; Proof	0.5%
1864									small motto; Proof	0.2%
1865	13 640 000	$ 11	$ 14	$ 17	$ 18	$ 41	$ 76	$ 210	Fancy 5 or plain 5	42%
1865	500								Proof	0.5%
1866	3 177 000	$ 9.90	$ 20	$ 23	$ 27	$ 28				14%
1866	725								Proof	0.3%
1867	2 938 750	$ 13	$ 15	$ 15	$ 41	$ 41				13%
1867									Double die obverse	0.3%
1867	625								Proof	0.3%
1868	2 803 750	$ 11	$ 17	$ 26	$ 26	$ 40				13%
1868	600								Proof	0.20%
1869									Double die obverse	0.13%
1869	1 546 500	$ 15	$ 16	$ 39	$ 39					8%
1869	600								Proof	0.2%
1870	861 250	$ 11	$ 21	$ 54	$ 54					5%
1870	1 000								Proof	0.3%
1871	721 250	$ 28	$ 28	$ 28						5%
1871	960								Proof	0.3%
1872	65 000								(fr) Très rare	1.0%
1872	950								Proof	0.20%
1873	600								Normal 3; Proof	0.2%
1873	500								Open 3; Proof	0.3%

Values in the table above are expressed in USD. They are based on evaluations by Numista users and sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only; they are not intended to be relied upon for buying, selling or exchanging. Numista does not buy or sell coins or banknotes.

Frequencies show the percentage of Numista users who own each year or variety among all the users who own this coin. Since some users own several versions, the sum may be greater than 100%.

Get this coin

Members from this site want to exchange it: zeichman, Carlos Cerrato, geostring, Stonehouse, Sisilija, cyprusalexander, JorgePinto, squash70, cofon, Jagovruni9, hyac50, Anon5691, lincolnmanand, Kyatapira, mwilensk, yahel, erniemix, Jim Vellis, Darthschraeder, benjammoins, nukn, eljunquito52, WD40Texas, thoroughburro, javmaHHut, the-ferret, Griffindian, iRipperoni, Costontine_21, ElectronJohn, Dtap, navroc, daschwin92, Milfitau, ko4juw, CodGod69, AngHol, Tomdd, peterm12772, username3, HonuAkamai, Djslyva, CanBird81, Tanman2001, congreen18, SK77, PesPoisonFisch, gyoschak, Ken-NL, jensenk…

» See the details of the coins available for swap

Numista Rarity index: 6 Search tips

This index is based on the data of Numista members collections. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members.

Examples of the type

Picture 1 of the example of 2 Cents "Union Shield"

Picture 2 of the example of 2 Cents "Union Shield"

See the examples

Past sales

Pictures	Sale	Date	Version	Grade	Sold price
	Katz Auction 196 Lot 1981	29 May 2026	1865 – PCGS# 3582-3585, Greysheet# 2680-2682, 70641 – Fancy 5 or plain 5	AU	USD 47.55 (EUR 41.00) (+ buyer's premium)
© Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp.
	Katz Auction 61 Lot 1138	7 Jun 2022	1865 – PCGS# 3582-3585, Greysheet# 2680-2682, 70641 – Fancy 5 or plain 5	XF	USD 76.55 (EUR 66.00) (+ buyer's premium)
© Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp.
	Katz Auction 161 Lot 2591	18 Jun 2025	1865 – PCGS# 3582-3585, Greysheet# 2680-2682, 70641 – Fancy 5 or plain 5	VF	USD 13.92 (EUR 12.00) (+ buyer's premium)
© Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp.
	Katz Auction 158 Lot 2754	14 May 2025	1865 – PCGS# 3582-3585, Greysheet# 2680-2682, 70641 – Fancy 5 or plain 5	VF	USD 26.68 (EUR 23.00) (+ buyer's premium)
© Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp.
	Heritage Auctions 2016 April 27 - May 1 CSNS US Coins Signature Auction - Chicago 1234 Lot 3116	27 Apr 2016	1867 – PCGS# 3587, 3591-3593, Greysheet# 2686-2688, 70609	(PGCS MS65 Red)	USD 3760.00 (incl. buyer's premium)
© Heritage Auctions
	Katz Auction 184 Lot 3010	27 Feb 2026	Undetermined	UNC	USD 156.58 (EUR 135.00) (+ buyer's premium)
© Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp.
	Katz Auction 128 Lot 1902	3 Jun 2024	Undetermined	AU	USD 51.03 (EUR 44.00) (+ buyer's premium)
© Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp.
	Katz Auction 166 Lot 2353	16 Aug 2025	Undetermined	XF	USD 52.19 (EUR 45.00) (+ buyer's premium)
© Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp.
	Katz Auction 161 Lot 2590	18 Jun 2025	Undetermined	XF	USD 16.24 (EUR 14.00) (+ buyer's premium)
© Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp.
	Katz Auction 158 Lot 2753	14 May 2025	Undetermined	XF	USD 41.75 (EUR 36.00) (+ buyer's premium)
© Katz Coins Notes & Supplies Corp.