DAM - Shield Two Cents Circulation Strikes (1864-1872)
The Number One Finest Set of All Time
Just rated slightly below the finest set you could possibly build, DAM's set of Shield Two Cent pieces is spectacular. All coins are 100% red and the set has three coins tied for finest graded: 1868 MS66 Red, 1869 MS66 Red, and a 1872 MS66 Red. Don't think for one minute that the small size of this set makes it an easy one to complete. Two cents pieces are tough to come by, especially high-grade full red examples. Congratulations to DAM! To view this set, click here.

Update! All 2001 coins have been added to set compositions and the last week has seen a rush to get those coins updated in sets. Next year, at the suggestion of one of our set registrants, we will be adding 2002 coins as optional throughout the year and then will make them required next December. Washington quarters, State quarters and Trade dollars have all been weighted. Next up are Lincoln cents.

The PCGS Set Registry has new sets being added every day and now you can see the number of sets registered.Click here to visit the home page of the Set Registry. At the top of the page is the number of registered sets, which today is nearly 1700!

Get involved with other collectors who are currently participating in the Set Registry program or are just beginning. Click here to chat on the Set Registry Messageboard.

The PCGS Set Registry^TM is a work in progress. If you have any suggestions or comments please email setregistry@collectors.com.

Collecting Two-Cent Pieces 1864-1873
Two-cent pieces, minted from 1864 through 1873 inclusive, represent one of the shortest-lived of all United States coin denominations. The mintage of 19,847,500 achieved during the first year of production in 1864 turned out to be the high water mark. A decline began the next year, culminating in just 65,000 coins in 1872, the last year that business strikes were made. As a final gasp, a few hundred Proofs were struck for collectors in 1873, after which time the denomination was discontinued.
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Collector's Survey The Two Cent piece was only issued for ten years, so there is not a long and complex series to put together if you decided to collect them. Yes, there are some fun challenges, such as the 1864 Small Motto and 1872 in certain conditions, but it's nothing like assembling a set of $5 Liberty gold pieces or Morgan dollars. Which of these short series would you like to complete the most? Two Cent Pieces. The subject at hand is a great place to start, with its great history and unusual denomination. Twenty Cent Pieces. Only four years (1875-78) but lots of rarities, including the ultra-rare 1876-CC. Three Cent Nickels. Yes, the series was issued for 25 years, but there are no mintmarked coins so the complete set involves just a couple of dozen coins. Gobrecht Dollars. These beautiful coins are considered to be circulation strikes and/or Patterns, but what a collection they would make! The issues are dated from 1836 through 1839. The Gold Coins of 1907. What a set! For the $10 gold pieces alone you'll need the $10 Liberty, the Rolled Edge Indian, the Wire Edge Indian and the No Motto Indian. For the $20 gold you'll need the $20 Liberty, the High Relief, the Ultra-High Relief, the Arabic Date...well, you get the idea. A challenge, indeed! Click here to answer. Results will be posted in the next eCollector. Results from last survey: 34% answered that Silver commemoratives from 1892-1954 have the same explosive potential as Washington Quarters. Click here for a complete breakdown.

What is does shield mean in Shield Two Cent pieces? Find out in Lingo, the PCGS dictionary of numismatic definitions. Click here for Lingo.