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1865 Plain 5
| Weight | 6.22 g |
| Diameter | 23 mm |
| Mint | Philadelphia |
| Strike | Circulation strike |
| Mintage | 13,640,000 Combined mintage for all 1865 varieties |
| Edge | Plain |
| Alignment | ↑↓ Coin |
| Composition | 95% Copper, 5% Tin & Zinc |
| Melt value | — |
| Designer | James B. Longacre |
| Collector's Key ID | CK-915 |
Collection
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Other recorded varieties for 1865:
- 1865
- 1865 Fancy 5 · Fancy 5
External references
The 1865 Plain 5 variety uses a date punch where the numeral 5 has a simple, unornamented serif at the top. The distinction from the Fancy 5 is in the shape of the 5's upper terminal. On the Plain 5, the top stroke ends cleanly. On the Fancy 5, the top has a more ornate curl. The Mint maintained multiple numeral punches, and which one went into a particular die was a matter of which punch was at hand during die preparation.
The Plain 5 and Fancy 5 are both collected as recognized varieties for the year. Neither is dramatically scarcer than the other, and both carry modest premiums over standard 1865 cents when attribution is confirmed. Identifying the variety requires examining the upper serif of the 5 on coins in Fine or better condition, where the punch detail is still clearly visible.
Reference data only — not an appraisal.
| Grade | Description | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| G-4 | Good (G) | — | — |
| VG-8 | Very Good (VG) | — | — |
| F-12 | Fine (F) | — | — |
| VF-20 | Very Fine (VF) | — | — |
| EF-40 | Extremely Fine (EF) | — | — |
| AU-50 | About Uncirculated (AU) | — | — |
| MS-60 | Uncirculated (MS) | — | — |
| MS-63 | Choice Uncirculated (MS) | — | — |
How many 1865 Plain 5 Two-Cent Pieces were minted?
What is a 1865 Plain 5 Two-Cent Piece made of?
What is the melt value of a 1865 Plain 5 Two-Cent Piece?
Is the 1865 Plain 5 Two-Cent Piece a key date?
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