In 1864, Congress authorized the use of the phrase In God We Trust on U.S. coins.

1630Boston

155 years ago today
In 1864, Congress authorized the use of the phrase In God We Trust on U.S. coins.

History of 'In God We Trust'

The motto IN GOD WE TRUST was placed on United States coins largely because of the increased religious sentiment existing during the Civil War. Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase received many appeals from devout persons throughout the country, urging that the United States recognize the Deity on United States coins. From Treasury Department records, it appears that the first such appeal came in a letter dated November 13, 1861. It was written to Secretary Chase by Rev. M. R. Watkinson, Minister of the Gospel from Ridleyville, Pennsylvania, and read:

Dear Sir: You are about to submit your annual report to the Congress respecting the affairs of the national finances.
One fact touching our currency has hitherto been seriously overlooked. I mean the recognition of the Almighty God in some form on our coins.

You are probably a Christian. What if our Republic were not shattered beyond reconstruction? Would not the antiquaries of succeeding centuries rightly reason from our past that we were a heathen nation? What I propose is that instead of the goddess of liberty we shall have next inside the 13 stars a ring inscribed with the words PERPETUAL UNION; within the ring the allseeing eye, crowned with a halo; beneath this eye the American flag, bearing in its field stars equal to the number of the States united; in the folds of the bars the words GOD, LIBERTY, LAW.

This would make a beautiful coin, to which no possible citizen could object. This would relieve us from the ignominy of heathenism. This would place us openly under the Divine protection we have personally claimed. From my hearth I have felt our national shame in disowning God as not the least of our present national disasters.

To you first I address a subject that must be agitated.

As a result, Secretary Chase instructed James Pollock, Director of the Mint at Philadelphia, to prepare a motto, in a letter dated November 20, 1861:
Dear Sir: No nation can be strong except in the strength of God, or safe except in His defense. The trust of our people in God should be declared on our national coins.
You will cause a device to be prepared without unnecessary delay with a motto expressing in the fewest and tersest words possible this national recognition.

Post any relevant coin and have a wonderful day.

More info here : https://www.treasury.gov/about/education/Pages/in-god-we-trust.aspx

ricko

And now we have those who demand it be removed..... Times and sentiments change. Cheers, RickO

1630Boston

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Hemispherical

Thanks @1630Boston for the information on the motto.

Went looking for a good IGWT example and found an interesting anomaly.

Crack and copper toning on my Au.

Sandman70gt

RogerB

A religious motto idea was pushed by mint director Pollock. Exact wording came down to a decision about which 2-cent pattern to adopt: Shield or Washington head. [A much fuller account that that of the US Mint can be found in Renaissance of American Coinage 1905-1908.]