1868 Two Cent Piece Value

A 1868 Two Cent Piece is worth roughly $0.40 to $149 depending on its condition; the melt floor under every example is $0.06 (spot prices as of 2026-06-01) Exceptional, certified pieces regularly exceed the top of that range.

Public domain image (struck or printed before 1926). Click to enlarge.

1868 Two Cent Piece value by grade

1868 Two Cent Piece value by grade
GradeEstimated value
Melt value floor(metal content, 2026-06-01)$0.06
Good (G-4)$0.40 to $0.70
Very Good (VG-8)$0.60 to $1.00
Fine (F-12)$0.95 to $1.60
Very Fine (VF-20)$1.75 to $2.95
Extremely Fine (XF-40)$3.60 to $6.10
About Uncirculated (AU-50)$7.20 to $12.00
Mint State (MS-60)$14.50 to $24.50
Choice Unc (MS-63)$30.50 to $51.50
Gem Unc (MS-65)$88.00 to $149

Estimated retail range, updated 2026-06-15. Estimates are modeled from mintage rarity and metal content, not auction records. Actual sale prices vary with certification, eye appeal and market timing.

How much is a 1868 Two Cent Piece worth today?

Start with $0.40 for a heavily circulated 1868 Two Cent Piece and work upward. Lightly circulated 1868 examples occupy the middle of the range, while true gems approach $149. If your coin has no wear on the high points, it deserves a closer look or a professional opinion.

1868 Two Cent Piece specifications

Series
Two Cent Piece
Year
1868
Mint mark
None (Philadelphia)
Mintage
2,803,750
Composition
95% copper, 5% tin and zinc
Weight
6.22 g
Diameter
23 mm
Edge
Plain
Designer
James Barton Longacre

Mintage figure: US Mint reports (approximate).

Why this coin has no mint mark

The 1868 Two Cent Piece was struck at the Philadelphia Mint, which used no mint mark in this era. If you find no letter where branch-mint coins carry one (None, all were struck at Philadelphia), you are holding a Philadelphia issue.

Why the 1868 Two Cent Piece is worth money

Few series carry the following that supports the 1868 Two Cent Piece. A complete ten-date set is a satisfying, compact goal rich in Civil War context. A coin that thousands of collectors are actively assembling into sets never lacks for a market.

A mintage of 2,803,750 makes the 1868 Two Cent Piece moderately available, though it is noticeably tougher than the bulk dates of the series, particularly in higher grades.

1868 Two Cent Piece inscriptions & design

Obverse

IN GOD / WE / TRUST [on ribbon] / (date)

Shield with ribbon and wreath

Reverse

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA / 2 / CENTS

Value in wreath

Measured 1868 Two Cent Piece specimens

1 physically measured 1868 Two Cent Piece example in our reference database. Real measured weights and die axes let you authenticate a coin against the 6.22 g, 23 mm minting standard.

Measured 1868 Two Cent Piece specimens
SpecimenWeightDiameterDie axisReferences
1868 Two Cent Piece #1---Breen.2393

Specifications compiled from documented museum specimens. See our data & methodology page.

Summary: the 1868 Two Cent Piece is valued between $0.40 and $149 as of 2026-06-15. Estimates combine mintage rarity, key-date status and metal content; they are editorial guidance, not an offer to buy.