In God We Trust on America's Coins

Information regarding IN GOD WE TRUST on $1 Coins.

Since 2007, there have been many conspiracy theories and a barrage of articles claiming that "In God We Trust" was intentionally omitted from the 2007 United States Presidential $1 Coins. The primary intention of the statements was to boycott the use and circulation of the Presidential $1 Coins. The claim in the message that "In God We Trust" was purposely omitted from the new coins is UNTRUE. In fact, the Presidential dollars neither omitted the phrase "In God We Trust" nor demonstrated a plot to “Phase God out of America.”

The motto "In God We Trust" has been a standard inscription on U.S. coins since 1938 and the national motto since 1956. As specified by the Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005, in order to allow for “larger and more dramatic artwork” on the coin faces, the new Presidential $1 coins incorporated a few design features not found on other current U.S. coinage. Elements typically displayed on either the obverse or reverse of the U.S. Coins would be included as edge-incused inscriptions.  This marks the first time since the St. Gaudens Double Eagle that the United States has issued a coin with edge lettering for circulation. Edge lettered coins date back to the 1790s.

There are two major factors that may have contributed to the spread of this rumor:

Usually, "In God We Trust" is inscribed on the front of US coins. However, in the case of the new Presidential coins, the motto is included on the edge rather than the front. People who saw images depicting just the front of the coins may have concluded that the motto had been excluded altogether. http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/$1coin/index.cfm?action=EdgeIncused

Also, due to a quality control problem, a number of the new coins were issued without any edge lettering at all. "In God We Trust" was not present on these coins and this may have led some people to believe that the omission was a deliberate act. However, the omission was a result of a problem during the manufacturing process and was in no way intentional. The United States Mint published the following statement. http://www.usmint.gov/pressroom/index.cfm?action=press_release&ID=755

In 2007 the U.S Mint began the release of a series of coins similar in concept to the 50 State Quarter Program launched in 1999. This series, the Presidential $1 Coin Program, features dollar coins identical in size, color and composition to the earlier Sacagawea dollar. Each coin bears the likeness of a former U.S. president on the obverse and a representation of the Statue of Liberty on the reverse. The Presidential $1 Coins have released in series of four per year since February 2007.

"With the passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2008, Congress reversed its previous specifications and instructed the U.S. Mint to move the "In God We Trust" motto from the edge to the front or back of the presidential $1 coins “as soon as is practicable.” Beginning with the first Presidential $1 coin issued in 2009 (ninth U.S. President, William Henry Harrison), the motto was repositioned to the bottom left-hand portion of the obverse." (www.snopes.com)

These Presidential $1 coin collections are a great way to honor the founding fathers. Not only are the Presidential $1 coins great to collect but they can be used in everyday transactions to make America a better place. The “Make a Lasting Change Program” was designed for continuity and is complemented nicely by the regularly scheduled release of newly designed Presidential $1 Coins, scheduled to run at least through 2016. We can help our country by choosing to use Presidential $1 Coins instead of the $1 bill. A few main reasons including saving money.if we successfully transition to the $1 coin we will save $500,000,000 each year. Another main driver is, the $1 coin will last 30+ years and is 100% recyclable. This is a great way to be involved and take a responsible role in making a difference.