1865 2C Mint Error PCGS MS64RB Deep Obverse Die Cap. This Mint state, Civil War dated 1865 Two Cent piece shows a deep obverse die cap and a reverse brockage. The coin shows mint luster on both sides with red-orange, gold and darker red toning. The obverse strike is needle-sharp because of the extra strikes the piece received. The reverse brockage is enlarged and blurry, as expected. There are numerous striation marks radiating outward on the obverse caused by the spread of the coin. The obverse shows a couple of fly specks in the lower right, mentioned for the sake of accuracy, which attest to the coins originality.

An obverse die cap takes place when a coin instead of being ejected from the striking chamber sticks to the die. With successive strikes, the coin begins to wrap itself around the die shaft creating the capped die. The brockage is cause by a second struck coin that left its impression on the capped die. The image is incuse and reversed. When the entire surface of the coin is covered by the brockage, it is called a full or mirror brockage.

James Longacre designed the two cent coin. It was the first United States coin to have the IN GOD WE TRUST motto. The design is similar to the shield nickel of the same time period that was also designed by Longacre. The obverse shows a large shield with a ribbon at the top on which the motto is inscribed. Behind the shield are two arrows, and an olive branch. The reverse shows a wreath surrounding the denomination that is written as 2 CENTS. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is around the coin near the periphery.

James Barton Longacre was born in Pennsylvania in 1794. When he finished his apprenticeship in Philadelphia as a bookseller and a banknote engraver, he worked on his own as an engraver of book illustrations and bank notes. His works included one on the signers of the Declaration of Independence and another on stage personalities. In 1830, Longacre planned to do a series of biographies of famous men in the military and the political arena. In 1834 the result of this series became the National Portrait Gallery of Distinguished Americans that was published in four volumes. Longacre and those who worked with him became famous because of this work. In 1844 Longacre came to work at the Mint. He was opposed by Franklin Peale, the Chief Coiner. Peale was probably responsible for some blundered dies that Longacre was criticized for making. Peal was involved in a private, illegal medal manufacturing business using Mint facilities. He was concerned that this new political appointee would interfere with his business, and he resisted Longacres appointment as Chief Engraver. Finally in 1854, Peale was fired by President Franklin Pearce. Longacre flourished in his position and was responsible for creating many new designs including the Indian Head cent, the two cent piece, the Shield nickel, the Liberty Head gold dollar, the Indian Princess gold dollar, the three dollar gold piece, and the Liberty Head double eagle.

This coin is listed as # 37 in 100 Greatest U.S. Error Coins which states less than 6 known.