1865 2C Plain 5, RB MS64RB Certification #45056558, PCGS #38248

CoinFacts Details

Owner's Comments

Dave Lawrence

Expert Comments

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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PCGS #
38248
Designer
James Barton Longacre
Edge
Plain
Diameter
23.00 millimeters
Weight
6.22 grams
Mintage
13640000
Metal
Bronze
Pop Higher
34
Pop Lower
16
Region
The United States of America

Condition Census Learn More

Pos Grade Thumbnail Pedigree and History
1 PCGS MS66+RB PCGS MS66+RB

Plain 5. Golden red color. High points of the relief exhibit chocolate brown color. Toning spot below "8". 
2 PCGS MS66RB

Legend Rare Coin Auctions, July 16, 2020, Lot 75 - $1,880; Heritage Auctions, August 25, 2021, Lot 27044 - $1,620. Plain 5.
2 PCGS MS66RB PCGS MS66RB

Plain 5. Predominantly red. Diagonal die crack from denticles to the right of the 5. From the denticles to the ribbon above G, along the top of the ribbon the arrow. Toning spot above "T" of UNITED.
2 PCGS MS66RB PCGS MS66RB

Plain 5. The central letters of "IN GOD WE TRUST" are softly impressed. There is minor spotting across the surfaces. A long die crack originates from the denticles at 5 o'clock, passes through the ball of the shield, and terminates above the "1." Another die crack is visible from the denticles at 7:30. "Longacre" doubling is present on "UNITE." On the reverse, a die crack starts at the denticles to the right of 6 o'clock and continues through the bottom of the wreath. Vibrant blue and magenta toning surrounds "2 CENTS."
2 PCGS MS66RB PCGS MS66RB

Plaint 5. Surfaces display a red and orange, with the points of highest relief showing vivid blue-magenta coloration. A small contact mark is visible near the rim at 3 o'clock. A die crack runs from the top of the "1" to the ball of the shield. 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". Additionally, a small die crack extends from the denticles to the second "A" of AMERICA.
PCGS MS66+RB #1 PCGS MS66+RB

Plain 5. Golden red color. High points of the relief exhibit chocolate brown color. Toning spot below "8". 
#2 PCGS MS66RB

Legend Rare Coin Auctions, July 16, 2020, Lot 75 - $1,880; Heritage Auctions, August 25, 2021, Lot 27044 - $1,620. Plain 5.
PCGS MS66RB #2 PCGS MS66RB

Plain 5. Predominantly red. Diagonal die crack from denticles to the right of the 5. From the denticles to the ribbon above G, along the top of the ribbon the arrow. Toning spot above "T" of UNITED.
PCGS MS66RB #2 PCGS MS66RB

Plain 5. The central letters of "IN GOD WE TRUST" are softly impressed. There is minor spotting across the surfaces. A long die crack originates from the denticles at 5 o'clock, passes through the ball of the shield, and terminates above the "1." Another die crack is visible from the denticles at 7:30. "Longacre" doubling is present on "UNITE." On the reverse, a die crack starts at the denticles to the right of 6 o'clock and continues through the bottom of the wreath. Vibrant blue and magenta toning surrounds "2 CENTS."
PCGS MS66RB #2 PCGS MS66RB

Plaint 5. Surfaces display a red and orange, with the points of highest relief showing vivid blue-magenta coloration. A small contact mark is visible near the rim at 3 o'clock. A die crack runs from the top of the "1" to the ball of the shield. 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". Additionally, a small die crack extends from the denticles to the second "A" of AMERICA.