The Two Cent piece, minted from 1864 to 1873, holds the distinction of being the first U.S. coin to bear the motto 'In God We Trust.' This short-lived denomination was introduced during the Civil War when coin shortages plagued the economy. Made of bronze, it featured a shield design on the obverse. The denomination proved redundant once the economy stabilized and was discontinued after less than a decade, making these coins a fascinating piece of Civil War-era numismatic history.