The 1871 Proof Two Cent Piece has a slightly higher mintage of 960 coins struck. Most of that mintage still exists. Examples with brown and red-brown color are scarce as of PR66 or finer. Full red examples are rare as of PR65. Any cameo surfaces are great rarities in all grades. Search for examples with either nice toning or intense red color.
| coinage-type | Two cent piece |
| desg | PR |
| designer | James B. Longacre |
| diameter | 23 |
| edge | Plain |
| material | 0.95 copper; 0.05 tin & zinc |
| mintage | 960 |
| ngc-id | 22NH |
| obverse-description | An ornate shield flanked on the left and right by leaves with arrow heads and shanks (crossed behind) appear protruding at the four corners. A ribbon above the shield bears the words IN GOD WE TRUST, making this coin design the first usage this now-ubiquitous motto. The date is positioned at the bottom center. |
| pcgs-link | 3645 |
| pcgs-number | 3645 |
| reverse-description | A large numeral 2 with the word CENTS below (smaller) in the center is framed by a well-defined wheat wreath tied at the bottom center by a simple ribbon. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA appears around the periphery. |
| weight-grams | 6.22 |
| year-display | 1864-1873 |