3 Obscure U.S. Coin Sets That Are Highly Rewarding To Collect
July 15, 2026
Few could deny the importance and popularity of coin series such as Lincoln Cents, Washington Quarters, and Morgan or Peace Dollars. All of these beloved United States coins have captivated generations of numismatists, and thousands of collectors actively pursue these coins on the PCGS Set Registry. However, there are many series that aren’t as widely chased yet offer collectors multitudes of fun opportunities and exciting challenges. Let’s look at three United States coin series that can be collected on the PCGS Set Registry yet largely remain off the beaten numismatic path.
The Two Cents was struck from 1864 through 1873, and it’s perhaps most famous for becoming the first United States coin to bear the now-familiar national motto “In God We Trust.” However, at the time this approximately quarter-sized bronze coin was released, its mission was to help alleviate a shortage of small-denomination coinage during the height of the Civil War. It was one of many newfangled denominations that cropped up during the mid-19th century, including the Nickel and Silver Three Cents coins, 20 Cents, Gold Dollar, and Three Dollar Gold coin. And, like many of those pieces, the Two Cents denomination did not successfully circulate after demand for the coin tapered following the end of the Civil War.
From PCGS