Early vs. Late Die State: Evaluating the Strike on a New Purchase 1870 2 Cent Piece PCGS MS65+BN CAC Pop 2, 0 Higher

A coin struck from a fresh die looks completely different than one struck from a dying one. Let’s look at the die progression here.

As a die variety specialist, I can tell you that very few areas of numismatics reward the careful study of die states as profoundly as the early bronze issues of the United States Mint. When a collector recently shared images of a stunning new acquisition—an 1870 2 Cent Piece, graded PCGS MS65+BN with a CAC sticker, representing a Pop 2 with none finer—the forum response was immediate and enthusiastic. “Gorgeous,” “eye-popping,” and “has the look” are exactly the kinds of comments we all want to hear about a new purchase. But beyond the eye appeal, this specific coin offers a fascinating case study in die wear, strike quality, and the subtle markers that separate a common date from a truly elite, condition-census-level example.

In this post, I’m going to put on my loupe and examine this 1870 2 Cent Piece through the lens of a die variety specialist. We’ll explore the anatomy of its strike, the evidence of die deterioration, the nuances of repolishing, and why understanding these factors is critical for anyone navigating the condition census.

The Significance of the 1870 2 Cent Piece in Numismatics

Before we dissect the die state of this specific coin, it helps to understand the historical and numismatic context. The Two Cent Piece was introduced in 1864 during the Civil War, filling a need for small-denomination currency and serving as the first coin to bear the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST.” By 1870, the series was well-established, but mintages were highly volatile, fluctuating based on economic demand in the post-war Reconstruction era.

A Tougher Date in High Grade

As forum members rightly pointed out, the 1870 is a significantly tougher date than the common 1864 or 1865 issues. The Mint struck millions of Two Cent Pieces in the mid-1860s, but production dropped off considerably toward the end of the decade. Finding an 1870 in mint condition is a challenge. Finding one in MS65+ with a CAC sticker? That’s an extraordinary feat. The forum commenter who suggested hunting for an 1871 or 1872 to match this coin was spot-on—those later dates are notoriously rare in high Mint State grades, often requiring years of patience to locate a comparable example.

Die States: Reading the Life of a Working Die

When I examine a coin like this 1870 2 Cent Piece, the first thing I look for is the die state. Die state refers to the physical condition of the coinage die at the moment the planchet was struck. A die could be brand new, heavily worn, or somewhere in between. The die state dictates everything from the sharpness of the design elements to the presence of anomalies like clash marks and die cracks.

Early Die State (EDS) Characteristics

An Early Die State coin, struck shortly after a new die was put into production, will exhibit maximum design sharpness. On a fresh 1870 2 Cent Piece, you would expect to see:

• Full, crisp detail on the shield lines and the wheat stalks on the reverse.
• Sharp, squared-off serifs on the lettering of “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”
• Full mint luster that rolls uninterrupted across the fields, often with a cartwheel effect when the coin is tilted under a light.
• Absence of flow lines—the radial striations that form as metal flows outward from the center of the planchet under immense pressure.

Late Die State (LDS) and Die Deterioration

As a die is used to strike thousands upon thousands of planchets, it begins to deteriorate. The high points of the design—the very areas that define a coin’s grade—start to soften and flatten. On a late die state 1870 2 Cent Piece, you would observe:

• Weakness in the shield lines, particularly the horizontal cross-shield lines, which are often the first to fade.
• Blurred or missing details on the tips of the wheat stalks on the reverse.
• Flattened lettering, where the serifs begin to merge with the letters themselves.
• Evidence of die polishing, which we will discuss in detail below.

The coin under discussion here—a PCGS MS65+BN—sits in an interesting middle ground. It is clearly a high-grade example with strong luster and minimal marks. But the question a die variety specialist asks is: How much of that grade is due to the coin being struck from a relatively fresh die, and how much is due to the planchet quality and striking pressure?

Die Deterioration: The Silent Grade Killer

Die deterioration is one of the most common and misunderstood phenomena in numismatics, particularly for the bronze and copper issues of the 19th century. Unlike die cracks, which are sudden and dramatic, die deterioration is a gradual process that slowly erodes the die’s surface.

How Die Deterioration Occurs

Die deterioration happens when the high points of the die design—those areas that make the most contact with the planchet—begin to wear down under the repeated pressure of striking. The bronze alloy of the 2 Cent Piece, while softer than nickel or silver, is still remarkably abrasive over thousands of strikes. As the die wears, the metal of the planchet begins to flow differently, creating a characteristic “mushy” or “soft” appearance in the design elements.

On this 1870 2 Cent Piece, I would be looking for subtle signs of die deterioration in the following areas:

1. The shield: Are the vertical and horizontal lines still crisp, or do they appear slightly rounded and indistinct?
2. The obverse portrait: Is the detail in the wreath and ribbon fully defined, or is there a slight flattening?
3. The reverse wheat stalks: Are the individual kernels visible, or have they begun to merge into a single mass?
4. The lettering: Are the edges of the letters sharp, or do they show signs of “metal flow” where the bronze has pushed into the worn areas of the die?

Die Deterioration Doubling (DDD)

In advanced stages of die deterioration, a phenomenon known as Die Deterioration Doubling (DDD) can occur. This is not true hub doubling, but rather a secondary image created by the metal flowing into the irregular, worn surface of the die. DDD appears as a flat, shelf-like doubling that lacks the sharp, rotated look of a genuine doubled die. For the 1870 2 Cent Piece, DDD is most commonly seen on the lettering and the date.

As a specialist, I would carefully examine the date “1870” on this coin under high magnification. If the digits show a flat, spread-out appearance without the crisp, incuse lines of a fresh die, it could indicate that this coin was struck from a die that was nearing the end of its useful life—even if the overall grade remains high due to the absence of contact marks and the quality of the planchet.

Clash Marks: The Ghosts of Strikes Past

Clash marks are another critical die state indicator that I always examine on 19th-century bronze issues. A die clash occurs when a planchet fails to feed into the coining press, and the obverse and reverse dies slam together without a planchet between them. The impact transfers elements of one die’s design onto the other, creating “ghost” images that will subsequently be impressed onto future planchets.

Identifying Clash Marks on the 1870 2 Cent Piece

On the obverse of a 2 Cent Piece, clash marks from the reverse die typically appear in the fields around the shield. You might see faint impressions of the wheat stalks or the denomination “2 CENTS” ghosted into the flat areas of the obverse field. On the reverse, clash marks from the obverse die can appear as faint impressions of the shield or the stars in the fields surrounding the wreath.

For this particular coin, the absence of prominent clash marks is actually a positive indicator. It suggests that either:

• The die was relatively fresh when this coin was struck, before significant clashing occurred.
• The Mint made a conscious effort to retire or repolish the die before clash marks became severe.
• The striking pressure was sufficient to fully impress the design without allowing the planchet metal to flow into the clash mark recesses.

However, I would still examine the fields carefully under oblique lighting. Even subtle clash marks can be present on high-grade coins and serve as important die markers for identifying specific die varieties.

Weak Strikes: When the Pressure Isn’t Enough

A weak strike occurs when the coining press fails to deliver sufficient pressure to fully impress the die’s design onto the planchet. This can happen for several reasons: a malfunctioning press, a planchet that is too thick or hard, or—critically—a die that has worn down to the point where the design recesses are too shallow to fully transfer.

Weak Strike Indicators on the 1870 2 Cent Piece

On a weakly struck 1870 2 Cent Piece, the following areas are most commonly affected:

• The shield lines: The horizontal lines may be incomplete or missing entirely in the center of the shield.
• The motto “IN GOD WE TRUST”: The letters may appear faint or partially formed, particularly the “G” and “D” which are located at the high point of the obverse.
• The reverse wreath: The tips of the wheat stalks may be missing or barely visible.
• The rim: The rim may be incomplete or uneven, with areas where the metal failed to flow fully into the die collar.

For this MS65+BN example, the strike quality is clearly a major factor in its high grade. A fully struck coin with sharp design elements will always command a premium over a weakly struck example, even if both have similar surface quality. The fact that PCGS assigned a “+” designation—indicating exceptional eye appeal for the grade—suggests that the strike is a significant contributor to the coin’s overall desirability and numismatic value.

Repolishing: The Mint’s Attempt to Extend Die Life

One of the most fascinating aspects of 19th-century die management was the practice of die repolishing. When a die began to show signs of wear, Mint technicians would sometimes polish the surface to remove flow lines, clash marks, and early signs of deterioration. This process could extend the die’s life, but it also altered the die’s surface characteristics in ways that are visible on the coins struck from it.

Evidence of Repolishing on the 1870 2 Cent Piece

Repolishing leaves several telltale signs that a die variety specialist looks for:

1. Loss of detail: The polishing process removes metal from the die surface, which can soften fine details like the shield lines and lettering serifs.
2. Parallel polishing lines: Under high magnification, you may be able to see fine, parallel scratches on the coin’s surface—these are the remnants of the polishing process transferred from the die to the planchet.
3. Altered luster: Repolished dies often produce coins with a slightly different luster quality. Instead of the crisp, frosty mint luster of a fresh die, you may see a more “satiny” or “greasy” luster.
4. Missing or weakened design elements: If the die was heavily repolished, some design elements may be partially or fully missing. On the 1870 2 Cent Piece, this most commonly affects the tips of the wheat stalks or the fine details of the shield.

For this particular coin, I would want to examine the fields carefully for evidence of polishing lines. If present, they would indicate that the Mint attempted to extend the die’s life, which is a common and well-documented practice for this era. The presence of repolishing does not necessarily detract from the coin’s value—in fact, it can enhance the collectibility of the piece for die variety enthusiasts who are interested in documenting the full life cycle of a working die.

The PCGS MS65+BN Grade: What It Means for Die State Analysis

Let’s take a closer look at the grading of this coin and what it tells us about the die state. PCGS MS65+BN indicates a coin that sits at the upper end of the MS65 grade, with exceptional eye appeal and minimal contact marks. The “BN” designation confirms that the coin has fully original brown color, with no evidence of artificial toning or cleaning.

The “+” Designation and Its Significance

The “+” designation, introduced by PCGS in recent years, is reserved for coins that are at the top of their assigned grade. For an MS65+BN coin, this means:

• Minimal contact marks: The coin has very few marks visible under 5x magnification, and none that are significant enough to detract from the overall appearance.
• Strong luster: The coin exhibits full, uninterrupted mint luster that is consistent across both the obverse and reverse.
• Exceptional eye appeal: The coin has a pleasing overall appearance that is immediately apparent, even to casual observers.
• Strong strike: The design elements are fully or nearly fully impressed, with no significant areas of weakness.

For a die variety specialist, the “+” designation on this 1870 2 Cent Piece is particularly significant. It tells us that the die was in relatively good condition when this coin was struck—not brand new, but not yet showing significant signs of deterioration. This is the sweet spot for many collectors: a coin that was struck from a die that was broken in but not yet worn out.

The CAC Sticker: A Second Opinion on Quality

The presence of a CAC (Certified Acceptance Corporation) sticker on this coin adds another layer of confidence. CAC evaluates coins strictly on their eye appeal and technical quality, and a green sticker indicates that the coin is solid or high for its grade. For a Pop 2, 0 Higher example, the CAC sticker is particularly reassuring—it confirms that the coin is not merely a technical MS65BN, but a truly exceptional example that stands out even within the tiny population of high-grade survivors.

Actionable Takeaways for Collectors and Investors

Whether you are building a complete MS CAC set of Two Cent Pieces, as one forum member asked, or simply looking for a high-quality example of an underappreciated series, there are several lessons to be learned from this 1870 2 Cent Piece:

1. Prioritize Strike Quality

A well-struck coin from a fresh or moderately worn die will always command a premium over a weakly struck example. When evaluating potential purchases, examine the shield lines, the motto, and the reverse wreath for fullness of detail. A coin with a sharp strike is a coin that was struck from a die in good condition, which is a strong indicator of overall quality and long-term collectibility.

2. Understand Die Deterioration

Die deterioration is not a defect—it is a natural part of the coining process. However, it does affect the appearance and desirability of the coins struck from worn dies. Learn to recognize the signs of die deterioration (softened details, flow lines, DDD) and factor them into your purchasing decisions.

3. Look for Clash Marks as Die Markers

Clash marks can help you identify specific rare varieties and track the life cycle of a working die. Even on high-grade coins, subtle clash marks can be present and can provide valuable information about the die state at the time of striking.

4. Consider Repolishing as Part of the Coin’s Story

Repolishing is a well-documented Mint practice that affected many 19th-century issues. Coins struck from repolished dies are not necessarily less desirable—they are simply different, and they offer a window into the Mint’s die management practices that adds depth to a coin’s provenance.

5. The Condition Census Matters

As the forum discussion highlighted, this 1870 2 Cent Piece is a Pop 2, 0 Higher—one of only two known in this grade, with none finer. For series like the Two Cent Piece, where high-grade examples are genuinely rare, the condition census is a critical factor in determining both current value and long-term investment potential. The commenter who noted that finding an 1871 or 1872 to match this coin would be “very hard” was absolutely right—these later dates are among the most challenging pieces to locate in mint condition.

Conclusion: A Coin That Tells a Story

This 1870 2 Cent Piece, graded PCGS MS65+BN CAC, is far more than a high-grade example of a tougher date. It is a snapshot of a moment in time—a coin struck from a die that was past its prime but not yet exhausted, bearing the subtle marks of a working life that spanned thousands of planchets. The clean surfaces, the strong luster, the good amount of original color retained within the BN designation, and the exceptional eye appeal all speak to the quality of the planchet and the skill of the press operator who struck it.

As a die variety specialist, I find coins like this endlessly fascinating. Every mark, every subtle variation in the design, every hint of die wear or repolishing tells a story about the Mint, the dies, and the planchets that came together to create this particular piece of American history. For collectors, this coin represents the best of what the Two Cent Piece series has to offer: a beautiful design, a rich history, genuine rarity in high grade, and the kind of eye appeal that makes you want to keep looking at it.

Whether you are building a complete set, investing in condition-census rarities, or simply appreciating the artistry of 19th-century American coinage, this 1870 2 Cent Piece is a coin that deserves careful study and close examination. Take out your loupe, tilt it under a good light, and see what the die state tells you. You might be surprised at what you find.

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