1865 2C, RD
1865 2C Fancy 5, RD

1865 2C Plain 5, RD (Regular Strike)

Series: Shield Two Cents 1864-1872

PCGS MS67RD

PCGS MS67RD

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DATE COMPARISON

DATE COMPARISON

PCGS MS66+RD

PCGS MS66+RD

PCGS #:
38249
Designer:
James Barton Longacre
Edge:
Plain
Diameter:
23.00 millimeters
Weight:
6.22 grams
Mintage:
13,640,000
Mint:
Philadelphia
Metal:
Bronze
Auction Record:
$21,150 • MS67RD • 10-20-2022 • Legend Rare Coin Auctions

Condition Census What Is This?

Pos Grade Image Pedigree and History
1 PCGS MS67RD

Legend Rare Coin Auctions, October 20, 2022, Lot 10 - $21,150. Plain 5. On the reverse, a diagonal die crack starts over the "D" of UNITED, continues to the top of the "E", and terminates at the top of the "T".
2 PCGS MS66+RD

Heritage Auctions, September 7, 2016, Lot 3620 - $11,162.50; "The tompet38 Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). Plain 5. Struck with clashed dies. Toning spot on the left side of the chief (horizontal stripes on the shield). Spot cluster above "TS" of CENTS.
2 PCGS MS66+RD

"The tompet38 Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). Plain 5. Apparent fingerprint toning is visible at the top right. A die crack runs from the ball of the shield over the "65" in the date. The reverse features iridescent green accents along the periphery.
2 PCGS MS66+RD

Dell Loy Hansen; "The D.L. Hansen Civil War Set" (PCGS Set Registry). Plain 5. Diagonal die crack through date. On the reverse, a diagonal crack starts at denticles and runs through "ST" of STATES. Diagonal planchet void to the left of 2.
2 PCGS MS66+RD

"The hbbesq Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). Plain 5. Struck with clashed dies. Diagonal die lines at 5 o'clock. 
2 PCGS MS66+RD

Plain 5. Struck with clashed dies. Toning spot and horizontal mark at 9 o'clock. Diagonal die lines at 5 o'clock 
2 PCGS MS66+RD

Plain 5. Struck with clashed dies. Diagonal die lines at 5 o'clock. 
2 Est. MS66+RD

PCGS MS66+RD CAC #82625543: Heritage Auctions, February 16, 2017, Lot 3646 – $14,100; Dell Loy Hansen. As CACG #647898831. Plain 5. Scratch from the rim at 3 o’clock through leaves. Light carbon specks throughout.
#1 PCGS MS67RD

Legend Rare Coin Auctions, October 20, 2022, Lot 10 - $21,150. Plain 5. On the reverse, a diagonal die crack starts over the "D" of UNITED, continues to the top of the "E", and terminates at the top of the "T".
#2 PCGS MS66+RD

Heritage Auctions, September 7, 2016, Lot 3620 - $11,162.50; "The tompet38 Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). Plain 5. Struck with clashed dies. Toning spot on the left side of the chief (horizontal stripes on the shield). Spot cluster above "TS" of CENTS.
#2 PCGS MS66+RD

"The tompet38 Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). Plain 5. Apparent fingerprint toning is visible at the top right. A die crack runs from the ball of the shield over the "65" in the date. The reverse features iridescent green accents along the periphery.
#2 PCGS MS66+RD

Dell Loy Hansen; "The D.L. Hansen Civil War Set" (PCGS Set Registry). Plain 5. Diagonal die crack through date. On the reverse, a diagonal crack starts at denticles and runs through "ST" of STATES. Diagonal planchet void to the left of 2.
#2 PCGS MS66+RD

"The hbbesq Collection" (PCGS Set Registry). Plain 5. Struck with clashed dies. Diagonal die lines at 5 o'clock. 
#2 PCGS MS66+RD

Plain 5. Struck with clashed dies. Toning spot and horizontal mark at 9 o'clock. Diagonal die lines at 5 o'clock 
#2 PCGS MS66+RD

Plain 5. Struck with clashed dies. Diagonal die lines at 5 o'clock. 
#2 Est. MS66+RD

PCGS MS66+RD CAC #82625543: Heritage Auctions, February 16, 2017, Lot 3646 – $14,100; Dell Loy Hansen. As CACG #647898831. Plain 5. Scratch from the rim at 3 o’clock through leaves. Light carbon specks throughout.
Charles Morgan:

The 1865 Two-Cent Piece, Plain 5

First struck in 1864 to alleviate the nationwide coin shortage caused by the Civil War, the Two-Cent Piece ultimately struggled to gain long-term traction. The coin, identical in diameter to the deprecated half-cent but slightly heavier, was conceived as an instrument to increase the circulation of small change in the Northeast and Midwest. For a few years, the coin fulfilled its purpose; however, a glut of base-metal issues—specifically the Indian Head Cent, the Three-Cent Nickel, and the Shield Nickel five-cent coin—eventually crowded out the "double cent."

This eventuality was not yet apparent in 1865. For the second year of the series, the Philadelphia Mint struck 13,640,000 pieces, representing a 31% decline from the inaugural year. This downward trend accelerated in 1866, with mintage falling by another 77% before stabilizing briefly over the following two years.

The Plain 5 Variety

For completionists, the 1865 Two-Cent Piece offers two major varieties: the Plain 5 (PCGS #38247) and the Fancy 5 (PCGS #38256), along with several Cherrypickers' Guide varieties. These descriptors refer specifically to the style of the numeral "5" in the date.

The Plain 5 is the primary date style for the 1865 issue and is characterized by a straight, horizontal crossbar at the top of the digit. In contrast to the Fancy 5—which features a distinctively curved or "flipped" flag—the Plain 5 presents a more utilitarian, geometric profile. Within the Plain 5 family, collectors often hunt for several popular sub-varieties, including:

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