Building Trust When Selling a Trophy Coin: The 1870 2 Cent Piece PCGS MS65+BN CAC and the Dealer’s Code

In a hobby filled with fakes and subjective grading, reputation is your most valuable asset. Here’s how professionals handle these pieces. As a brick-and-mortar shop owner, I can tell you that nothing walks out the front door faster than trust. When a customer walks into my store and lays down significant capital for a high-end rarity—like a recent acquisition I’ve been showcasing, an 1870 2 Cent Piece, PCGS MS65+BN, CAC Approved, Pop 2 with 0 Higher—the transaction isn’t just a sale. It is a handshake agreement backed by decades of professional integrity.

High-end copper is one of the most technically challenging areas of numismatics. The color, surfaces, and strike must all align perfectly to earn that coveted “plus” designation. But even the most breathtaking coin is worthless if the buyer doubts its authenticity—or the dealer’s ethics. Today, I want to pull back the curtain on how professional dealers build unshakeable trust, specifically when handling elite condition rarities like this 1870 2 Cent Piece.

The Foundation of Trust: Why High-End Copper Demands It

When you’re dealing with a coin of this magnitude—a PCGS MS65+BN CAC—you’re dealing with a piece that transcends typical collecting. This is a condition census rarity. The 1870 2 Cent Piece in Mint State commands immediate respect. As fellow collectors noted when this coin was shared, finding an 1871 or 1872 equal to it is incredibly difficult, but the 1870 is no slouch in the rarity department either, especially at the MS65+ level.

Copper is notoriously difficult to grade. Unlike silver or gold, copper is highly susceptible to environmental damage, spotting, and color shifts. A BN (Brown) designation that retains the vibrant, eye-appealing red-brown undertones seen on this specific example is a marker of exceptional preservation. But because grading brown copper can be highly subjective, buyers need absolute confidence in the seller.

Pillar #1: The Ironclad Return Policy

In my shop, the transaction doesn’t end at the register. If a buyer looks at a coin and feels uneasy a week later, I want them to bring it back. A robust return policy is the first line of defense against buyer’s remorse and the anxiety that comes with high-ticket numismatics.

Why 7 Days Is the Industry Standard

Most reputable dealers, myself included, offer a minimum 7-day return policy on high-end purchases. This gives the buyer time to examine the coin under their own lighting, show it to their trusted advisor, or simply sit with the decision. For a coin like this 1870 2 Cent Piece, the buyer needs to see it in hand. Photographs, no matter how high the resolution, cannot fully capture the depth of the luster or the eye appeal that forum members immediately praised.

Handling Returns on Condition Rarities

When you’re dealing with a Pop 2, 0 Higher coin, you must have clear terms. My policy is simple: full refund, no questions asked, provided the coin is returned in the exact same holder and the seal is unbroken. If a buyer has removed the coin from the slab, the return is void. This protects both the buyer and the dealer from “switching”—a tragic reality in high-end collecting.

Pillar #2: The Lifetime Guarantee of Authenticity

Authenticity is the bedrock of our hobby. The fear of counterfeit slabs and altered coins keeps many collectors up at night. When I sell a coin, I’m not just selling a piece of copper. I’m attaching my name and my family’s reputation to that coin forever.

Standing Behind the Grade and the Label

I offer a lifetime guarantee of authenticity on every coin I sell. If, twenty years from now, a coin I sold comes back with a “Questionable Authenticity” sticker from PCGS or NGC, I will buy it back at the full original purchase price, plus a reasonable adjustment for market appreciation. Period.

This is especially crucial for early copper. The 1870 2 Cent Piece has been counterfeited. While PCGS and CAC provide excellent security, a dealer’s personal guarantee adds a layer of human accountability that a plastic slab simply cannot replicate.

Pillar #3: Professional Numismatist Guild (PNG) Membership

Trust must be institutionalized. Membership in organizations like the Professional Numismatist Guild (PNG) isn’t just a logo on a website. It’s a binding ethical contract.

The PNG Vetting Process

To become a PNG dealer, one must pass a rigorous background check, provide references from existing members, and agree to a strict code of ethics. We are required to disclose all restorations, alterations, or damage. If I sell a coin that has been cleaned, I will tell you. If I know a coin has a pedigree that might be questionable, I will disclose that too.

Dispute Resolution

If a buyer feels they’ve been wronged by a PNG dealer, the Guild offers a mediation process. This provides a critical safety net for the consumer. When you buy a PCGS MS65+BN CAC 1870 2 Cent Piece from my shop, you aren’t just buying from me. You’re buying from a PNG member whose livelihood depends on fair dealing.

Pillar #4: Ethical Dealing in a Subjective Market

Grading is an art, not a science. Two experts can look at the same coin and disagree on the color designation (RB vs. BN) or the numerical grade. Ethical dealing means acknowledging this subjectivity head-on.

The “Eye Appeal” Mandate

When I evaluate a coin for inventory, I don’t just look at the label. I look at the coin. Does it have “the look”? As forum members noted, this 1870 2 Cent Piece has “eye-popping” surfaces. I will not stock a technically high-grade coin that is ugly. A coin with an MS65+ grade but covered in carbon spots or unattractive patina is a liability, not an asset. I price based on eye appeal, and I explain my reasoning to my customers.

Full Disclosure of Pedigree and Provenance

If a coin has a famous pedigree—say, it came from the Garrett Collection or a prominent recent auction—I will disclose it. Conversely, if I acquired the coin at a bargain in a bulk lot and recognize it as undervalued, I will price it fairly, but I will also explain why the price is what it is. Transparency builds long-term relationships, and those relationships are the lifeblood of this business.

The 1870 2 Cent Piece as a Case Study

Let’s apply these trust factors to the specific coin that sparked this discussion. The 1870 2 Cent Piece is a fantastic example of a series that is underappreciated but fiercely competitive at the highest levels.

Historical Context

The Two Cent Piece was minted from 1864 to 1873. It was the first U.S. coin to bear the motto “In God We Trust.” By 1870, the series was well established, but mintages were dropping. The 1870 has a mintage of approximately 2.3 million business strikes, but finding one in true Mint State is a formidable challenge. Most were circulated or saved as souvenirs in low grades.

The PCGS MS65+BN CAC Designation

• PCGS MS65+: The “+” indicates the coin sits at the very top end of the MS65 grade. It is a superb gem.
• BN (Brown): PCGS has determined that the coin is predominantly brown. However, as collectors noted, it retains a “good amount of RB color.” This is the sweet spot for copper collectors—enough original red to be beautiful, enough brown to be stable and original.
• CAC Approval: The green sticker from Certified Acceptance Corporation confirms the coin is solid or high for the grade. It’s an independent seal of approval from another layer of expertise.
• Pop 2, 0 Higher: This is the critical data point. Only two examples have been graded MS65+ by PCGS, and none have achieved MS66. This is a true condition census rarity.

Why This Coin Requires Maximum Trust

A coin with a Pop 2, 0 Higher designation is not something you buy from a stranger on the internet without guarantees. The buyer needs to know:

1. The surfaces are clean and free of hairlines (as forum members noted).
2. The color is original and not re-toned.
3. The strike is sharp, typical of the 1870 issue.
4. The holder is not counterfeit.

By offering a lifetime guarantee, a clear return policy, and standing behind my PNG membership, I eliminate the buyer’s risk. The coin speaks for itself—it is a “beauty” with “clean surfaces”—but the dealer’s infrastructure allows the buyer to purchase with total confidence.

Actionable Takeaways for Buyers and Sellers

Whether you’re buying a $50,000 rarity or a $50 date set, the principles of trust remain the same.

For Buyers: How to Vet a Dealer

• Check for PNG or ANA membership: Don’t just look at the logo; verify it on the organization’s website.
• Ask about the return policy: If a dealer offers “all sales final” on high-end coins, walk away.
• Request a written authenticity guarantee: Verbal promises are worthless.
• Examine the coin, not just the label: A high grade on a bad coin is a bad investment.

For Sellers: How to Maximize Value Ethically

• Disclose everything: If a coin has been cleaned, disclose it. You might get less money upfront, but you’ll build a reputation that allows you to sell future rarities.
• Price based on eye appeal: A beautifully toned MS65 is often worth more than an ugly MS66. Explain this to your customers.
• Stand behind your inventory: A dealer who buys back their own coins at fair market value creates lifelong customers.

Conclusion: The Enduring Value of Trust and the 1870 2 Cent Piece

The 1870 2 Cent Piece, PCGS MS65+BN CAC, Pop 2 with 0 Higher is more than just a rare coin. It’s a testament to the enduring numismatic value of our hobby’s history and the trust that holds the market together. When a collector acquires a piece of this caliber, they aren’t just buying copper. They’re buying a piece of American history, encapsulated in plastic, backed by the expertise of PCGS and CAC, and guaranteed by the integrity of the dealer.

As a shop owner, I view every high-end coin that passes through my hands as a temporary custodian. My goal is to pass it on to the next caretaker with the same trust and transparency I demanded when I bought it. The 1870 2 Cent Piece, with its “eye-popping” surfaces and “clean surfaces,” deserves nothing less. In a hobby filled with fakes and subjective grading, reputation is your most valuable asset. Build it carefully, protect it fiercely, and it will pay dividends for generations.

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