United States Two Cents

(1864 - 1873)

Two-Cent Pieces (1864 - 1873)

The Act of April 22, 1864, which changed the weight and composition of the cent, included a provision for a bronze two-cent piece.  The weight was specified as 96 grains, the alloy being the same as for the cent.  The shield design is very similar to that on the nickel five-cent piece introduced in 1866.  All dates were produced at the Philadelphia Mint.

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Unites States Three Cents

(1851 - 1889)

Silver, Three-Cent Pieces (Trimes) (1851 - 1873)

The smallest of United States silver coins was authorized by Congress March 3, 1851.  The first three-cent silver pieces had no lines bordering the six-pointed star. 

From 1854 through 1858 there were three lines, while issues of the final 5 years show only two lines.  Issues from 1854 through 1873 have an olive sprig over the III and a bundle of three arrows beneath.  Nearly the entire production of non proof coins from 1863 - 1872 was melted in 1873.

Nickel, Three-Cent Pieces (1865 - 1889)

Nickel three-cent pieces were struck to replace the silver version.  Both the silver and the nickel varieties were designed by James B. Longacre. All three cent coins were minted at the Philadelphia Mint.

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United States Twenty Cents

(1875 - 1878)

Twenty-Cent Pieces (1875 - 1878)

This short-lived coin was authorized by the Act of March, 3 1875.  Soon after the appearance of the first twenty-cent piece, people complained about the similarity in design and size to the quarter dollar.  For this reason only pieces dated 1875 and 1876 were issued for circulation.  Proof pieces were available 1877 and 1878.  The eagle is very similar to that used on the Trade dollar, but the edge of this coin is plain.  The mintmark is positioned on the reverse below the eagle.  The twenty-cent piece was merely a substitute for two dimes.

Look for some of my other Photo Identification Guides covering other denominations.  Have fun and enjoy the hobby of coin collecting.