1870 ANS 2 Cent NGC PF66 RB CAC - 1870 2C ANS Collection, NGC PF66RB, CAC. Here is a superb, Gem proof 1870 two-cent piece that has as its provenance the American Numismatic Society Collection. It is tied for the finest known in RB at NGC, PCGS, and CAC. The coin is a mixture of light and dark chocolate brown with most of the devices lighter than the fields. The colors attest to the coins originality. The surfaces are pristine with no hairlines visible without magnification. Although there is slight weakness in the vertical stripes of the shield, the strike is otherwise full and sharp. A couple of die breaks, one notable above WE in the motto, add interest to the piece. The CAC sticker tells us that the coin is of premium quality and fully merits the assigned grade.

James Longacre designed the two-cent coin. It was the first United States regular issue 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 date is below. The reverse shows a wreath surrounding the denomination that is written as 2 CENTS in two lines. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is around the coin near the periphery. The edge is plain.

Both before and during the Civil War almost a dozen Protestant denominations pressured Congress to add references to God to the Constitution and other government documents. Reverend Mark Richards Watkinson was the first to write to Treasury Secretary Salmon Chase to request that Gods name be added to our coinage. His suggestion for a motto was God, Liberty, Law. Chase ordered Mint Director James Pollock to prepare a suitable motto. Pollocks suggestions included Our Trust Is In God, Our God And Our Country, and God Our Trust. Then Chase decided on In God We Trust to be added to most of the nations coinage. This motto was a subtle reminder that the North considered itself on the side of God with regard to the issue of slavery. A new law was required to allow the motto to be added since previous acts of Congress specified the mottos and devices that were permitted on coins. The new motto was placed on all coins that were deemed large enough to accommodate it.

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 began 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. 

In its population report, NGC shows 20 1870 Proof 66RB two-cent pieces with none finer. PCGS shows 14 with none finer, and these numbers do not account for crossovers and resubmissions. At CAC, as of May 2013, there are 5 confirmed in PR66RB with none finer.