1863 Two Cent Die Trial - J-A1863-1

Coin Details

Auction Record

$21,150 MS64 04-26-2017 Heritage Auctions

Description

This die trial predates the official introduction of the two-cent piece, which was first issued for circulation in 1864. The two-cent denomination was conceived during the Civil War as a response to the hoarding of precious-metal coinage and the resulting coin shortage that plagued everyday commerce. The 1863-dated trial demonstrates that the Mint was actively preparing dies and testing the new denomination at least a year before production began. Designed by James B. Longacre, the two-cent piece is historically significant as the first United States coin to bear the motto "In God We Trust," which was added to coinage in response to increased religious sentiment during the Civil War. Die trials from the developmental phase of a new denomination are particularly valuable to numismatic researchers because they document the evolution from concept to production. This piece, cataloged as Judd appendix A1863-1, was struck to evaluate the dies' performance and the overall appearance of the design before final approval was granted for mass production. The two-cent piece would ultimately be produced from 1864 through 1873.

Rarity Notes

Very rare. Pre-production die trials for the two-cent denomination are seldom offered. Most examples are held in institutional collections.

Cross References

Judd A1863-1; Pollock; United States Mint, Philadelphia