More Than a Penny for Your Thoughts--I'll Give You Two Cents!
April 22, 1864 the Congress passed the Coinage Act of 1864. Not only did it change the composition of the One Cent Coin, it authorized the production of a new coin . . . the Two Cent Piece, which it hoped would reduce the reliance on the one cent piece and cause fewer coins overall to be needed.
The Two Cent Piece
Weight: 6.221 grams
Diameter: 23.00 millimeters
Edge: Plain
Composition: 95% Copper, 5% Zinc and Tin
James Barton Longacre
The Two Cent Piece's designer was James Barton Longacre. Longacre was appointed chief engraver of the United States Mint on September 16, 1844, after the death of Christian Gobrecht. He served in the post until his death on January 1, 1869.Longacre's most popular design today is probably the Indian Head Cent Although Longacre's dies were used on many different pattern coins and trial coins, among his better known works are the Liberty Head used on the 1848 gold $1 and $20, the Indian Princess gold $1 and $3 of 1854, and the Shield nickel.
James Barton Longacre's Double Eagle Gold Piece
A Look at the Design . . . And A Question for You
James Barton Longacre also designed the $20 Gold Piece. This coin was affectionately called the "Double Eagle." But there is only one eagle depicted on the coin. Can you guess why the coin was called the "double" eagle? You'll find the answer further down the page.
A Recent Acquisition
Another Coin for my 1865 Set
I like collecting groups of coins from specific years. 1865 was a pivotal year in United States History. The end of the Civil War. The assassination of a President. The beginning of the Reconstruction. I am putting together a set of coins from 1865 which would be representative in condition of typical coins from that period. I found this Two Cent Piece interesting because of coloration and interesting wear patterns. I think it will fit right in!
Two Cent Pieces on eBay
Ending Soon
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The Tale of the Two Cent Piece Continues
There have been discussions concerning beginning production of the Two Cent Piece again due to what some people see as the high cost of continuing One Cent Coin production, but nothing has ever come of it.
The Telltale We ... Grading
While grading coins is always quite subjective, there is a location on the Two Cent Piece that serves as a great starting place to determine the grade of your coin. On the obverse of the coin is a ribbon bearing the words "In God We Trust." This is about the highest point on that side of the coin, and it is extremely subject to wear. A "Full We" in which the word "We" is clear and relatively unworn is a good sign that you have a high quality coin!
Due to the Two Cent Piece's limited run, there are not many references available on the coin. Several have been produced, but they are often listed as unavailable on Amazon. Click Here to See What Reference Books are Available on Amazon right now.
More Two Cent Pieces on eBay
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Where Did the Expression Come From?
My two cents" and its longer version "put my two cents in" is an American expression, taken from the original British expression: to put in "my two pennies worth" or "my tuppence worth." It is usually used to lessen the impact of a contious statement or to show politeness and humility. The intent is to suggest that what you are about to say may be of limited value, but should be taken as worthwhile nonetheless. It is also used to indicate irony in expressing a strongly held opinion which may not be popular.How did the saying come about? Various origins are suggested. Some say that the phrase originated in betting card games, such as poker in which you must make a small bet to begin play. So an analogy is made between entering the game with a small amount and giving an opinion in a conversation. A second possibility is that during the Nineteenth Century it cost two pence (two pennies or two cents) to mail a letter in the British postal system. The "two cents" was the lowest amount of postage that you could purchase to send your thoughts through the mail. Some also believe that the saying was derived from the even older British expression, "a penny for your thoughts."
The Value of "My Two Cents" on CafePress
12-10-05 Greeting Card
Some folks' two cents are worth more than others. This cute greeting card is especially made for those who have (or think they have) opinions that are a little more worthy than those of the rest of us!
Price: 5.99 
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Put In YOUR Two Cents
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Why the "Double" Eagle -- (Answer)
It's a logical answer, really. The Ten Dollar Gold Piece was nicknamed the "Eagle" by the public. The Twenty Dollar Gold Piece was worth twice as much as an Eagle, so it became known as the "Double Eagle."
by ViolinStudent
Arthur Haule began to collect coins on in 1963. He was thrilled to get two folders with the common dates of a Lincoln Penny collection for Christmas... (more)
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