I just bought a 1864 2 cent coin! Score!! I'm trying o figure out if it is a small motto or a large motto. Thy only promblem is, there is no motto! Could it be a minting error or just worn off? You can still read "states of America" and "2 cents" on the other side. Or could it just be worn down, but everything else besides the motto is clear. Thanks
Pictures would definitely help to tell us what the situation is. Gratz btw, I picked one up recently as well.
If there is'nt a motto, chances are it has worn off, as the motto was usually the very first thing to go on the Two cent pieces. I don't think it is possible to tell if it is large or small without the actual motto, unless you use some kind of acid treatment. I am not aware of any other diagnostics for the small motto, but I'm a neophyte when it comes to the two cent pieces. EDIT: As soon as I posted it I found you a clear answer, there are other subtle differences. The tails of the motto banner are a bit more wavy, compared to a Large. Two berries show on the lower left set of leaves on a genuine small motto, versus just one on a large motto The arrow feathers have a differnt total count of feathers.
Thank you so much! Thanks to your posts I was able to discover it is a small motto (or was haha)! It is the first old coin I has ever bought! Thanks so much!
