Hi, all. I recently found a pretty unusual US coin (or perhaps not a coin at all, but a token or bullion) in a lot of foreign coins that I purchased. Here are the details: Country: USA Year: 1863 Grade: Good to Very Good Denomination: 2 cents Phrase: "In God We Trust" Width: ~38 cm Weight: probably close to an ounce! (i.e., ~28.3 grams) It's a BIG coin. Strangely big, and certainly larger than an actual 2 cent piece. To give you the only reference I've found (mine is slightly more worn), see "1863 2C Two Cents, Judd-316, Pollock-381, R.6," which is the fifth pattern down on the following page: http://coinauctionshelp.com/Pattern_Guides/twocentshield.html I read that someone had a similarly large 2 cent "coin" but dated 1865. One of the answers suggested that it was not an actual pattern, since patterns are the same size as regular coins. They also said that it could be a silver bullion coin that would have been produced by a private mint during the mid 1900's. It is not magnetic, and the surface coating is a sort of dirty copper - - even blackish on each side. In some places, the silver-colored metal beneath is slightly visible. My understanding is that US 2 cent coins did not go into production until 1964, and that all coins predating that are either patterns or "novodels" (i.e., backdated fantasy coins). What on earth is this coin? Have you ever heard of or seen a similar one? A penny is shown in the pictures for comparison. Thanks! Seth
It is a real coin, made in 1863 I believe that the size was in relation with a large cent, which is larger than a normal Lincoln cent
Really? The coin pictured is a good 39 mm, but the actual 2 cent piece is a mere 23 mm across. Also, it wasn't minted until 1863. It could possibly be a pattern piece, but I'm guessing that it's a replica, especially judging from the details.