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Today's history lesson: "In God We Trust"
PhillyJoe
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A minister in Ridleyville PA wrote to Secretary of the Treasury Chase on November 13, 1861:
"One fact touching our currency has hitherto been seriously overlooked. I mean the recognotion of the Almighty God in some form on our coins. I shall propose.....the words "God, liberty, law" This would make a beautiful coin, to which no citizen could object.This would place us openly under the Divine protection we have personally claimed."
Secretary Chase was moved by the letter and wrote to Mint Director Pollock on November 20, 1861:
"No nation can be strong except in the strength of God. The trust of our people in God should be declared on our national coins."
Pollock considered the issue for more than a year, and in 1863, suggested two mottoes, "God, Our Trust" and "Our Country; Our God".
Chase wrote back that he liked "In God We Trust". Final authority was given by an act of April 22, 1864 so that the Mint Director could place the motto on the two-cent piece which was introduced in 1864.
It all started with a single person writing a letter expressing his feelings. Pretty neat.
Joe
Next week's lesson: :"Attractive Franklins and Other Oxymorons."
"One fact touching our currency has hitherto been seriously overlooked. I mean the recognotion of the Almighty God in some form on our coins. I shall propose.....the words "God, liberty, law" This would make a beautiful coin, to which no citizen could object.This would place us openly under the Divine protection we have personally claimed."
Secretary Chase was moved by the letter and wrote to Mint Director Pollock on November 20, 1861:
"No nation can be strong except in the strength of God. The trust of our people in God should be declared on our national coins."
Pollock considered the issue for more than a year, and in 1863, suggested two mottoes, "God, Our Trust" and "Our Country; Our God".
Chase wrote back that he liked "In God We Trust". Final authority was given by an act of April 22, 1864 so that the Mint Director could place the motto on the two-cent piece which was introduced in 1864.
It all started with a single person writing a letter expressing his feelings. Pretty neat.
Joe
Next week's lesson: :"Attractive Franklins and Other Oxymorons."
The Philadelphia Mint: making coins since 1792. We make money by making money. Now in our 225th year thanks to no competition. 
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Today many would see that as a blatant promotion of religion; in this case the promotion of the deity for Judeo-Christianity. It was an excuse for the government to force coins that had below-intrinsic value onto the public by allowing the public to believe that they should trust in the currency as they and "the government" trusts in a "higher power." In 1954, "under God" was added to the Pledge so that we could spit into the face of Communism which believed in atheistic principals. This is interesting stuff and literally a religious debate. Careful.
<< <i>Next week's lesson: :"Attractive Franklins and Other Oxymorons." >>
Let us not forget the distinction between promotion and recognition.
great thread.
<< <i>Next week's lesson: :"Attractive Franklins and Other Oxymorons." >>
Jade Rare Coin eBay Listings
******
Some day, I would like to get an original toned pattern seated quarter or half with "God, Our Trust" on the reverse.
Edited to add: I do not want to buy one now while patterns have cooled off--I would rather wait until they start to rocket again, to match my poor timing with the other series I collect.
<< <i>Next week's lesson: :"Attractive Franklins and Other Oxymorons." >>
Russ, NCNE
This one was good, but next week is gonna be great!
<< <i>Next week's lesson: :"Attractive Franklins and Other Oxymorons." >>
Whatever rings your bell...
By Francis Scott Key 1814
Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
1814 F.S.K
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
The letter was written by Rev Mark Watkinson from his Ridley, PA (not “Ridleyville”) home.
<< <i>The Star Spangled Banner Lyrics
By Francis Scott Key 1814
...Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
1814 F.S.K >>
Used to have this in my sig line and also a link to Pilgrim Hall about Thanksgiving origins.
Good reminder!
It'll be something to see how long this endearing phrase actually stays on our coinage.
WTB: Barber Quarters XF
"I would respectfully and earnestly ask the attention of the department to the proposition, in my former report, to introduce a motto upon our coins expressive of a national reliance on divine protection, and a distinct an unequivocal national recognition of the divine sovereignty. We claim to be a Christian nation. Why should we not vindicate our character, by honoring the God of nations, in the exercise of our political sovereignty as a nation? Our national coinage should do this. Its legends and devices should declare our trust in God; in him who is the "King of kings and Lord of lords." The motto suggested, "God, our trust," is taken from our national hymn, the "Star Spangled Banner;" the sentiment is familiar to every citizen of our country; it has thrilled the hearts and fallen in song from the lips of millions of American freemen. The time for the introduction of this or a similar motto is propitious and appropriate. 'Tis an hour of national peril and danger, an hour when man's strength is weakness, when our strength and our nation's strength and salvation must be in the God of battles and of nations. Let us reverently acknowledge his sovereignty, and let our coinage declare our trust in God."
Excerpt, Report of the Secretary of the Treasury, 1863; Statement S. Report of the Director of the Mint; James Pollock, Director
<< <i>Thought some people might appreciate this text regarding the motto...
"I would respectfully and earnestly ask the attention of the department to the proposition, in my former report, to introduce a motto upon our coins expressive of a national reliance on divine protection, and a distinct an unequivocal national recognition of the divine sovereignty. We claim to be a Christian nation. Why should we not vindicate our character, by honoring the God of nations, in the exercise of our political sovereignty as a nation? Our national coinage should do this. Its legends and devices should declare our trust in God; in him who is the "King of kings and Lord of lords." The motto suggested, "God, our trust," is taken from our national hymn, the "Star Spangled Banner;" the sentiment is familiar to every citizen of our country; it has thrilled the hearts and fallen in song from the lips of millions of American freemen. The time for the introduction of this or a similar motto is propitious and appropriate. 'Tis an hour of national peril and danger, an hour when man's strength is weakness, when our strength and our nation's strength and salvation must be in the God of battles and of nations. Let us reverently acknowledge his sovereignty, and let our coinage declare our trust in God."
Excerpt, Report of the Secretary of the Treasury, 1863; Statement S. Report of the Director of the Mint; James Pollock, Director >>
I am pretty sure that everyone knew that there has always been inappropriate fundamentalist fervor even from officials that should know better. People always try to get other people to believe in their magic space man(which ever one is popular at the time) and it is the same today as it was 20,000 years ago. It will funny a few thousand years from now to see what humans think is all powerful esp considering what other advancements in non-faith(def #2 says it all) based knowledge that will have most likely transpired during that time.
Islamic countries sometimes put on their coins:
"There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his prophet".
And, of course, in British areas the King or Queen rules "by the grace of God", or "Dei Gratia".
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<< <i>I am pretty sure that everyone knew that there has always been inappropriate fundamentalist fervor even from officials that should know better. People always try to get other people to believe in their magic space man(which ever one is popular at the time) and it is the same today as it was 20,000 years ago. It will funny a few thousand years from now to see what humans think is all powerful esp considering what other advancements in non-faith(def #2 says it all) based knowledge that will have most likely transpired during that time. >>
IMHO, the importance of the text posted was the concrete link it shows to the instantiation of the motto. And more abstractly, it shows that it was born of a time of great concern for the future of the Union.
For good or for ill, when times get tough many people look toward "faith". So, although my personal beliefs may lead me to believe the motto should read "In Humankind We Believe", I realize that I have the fortune of living in a far more luxurious environment than these men did. Moreover, each progressive generation has an exponentially more distant relationship to the hardships, trials, and atrocities of previous generations. This makes it is easy to mock or deem as ignorant any faith (#2/#3) of the past and, in turn, the present. No, I don't slight anyone for their beliefs, so long as their beliefs don't directly effect my ability to follow my own.
<< <i>
IMHO, the importance of the text posted was the concrete link it shows to the instantiation of the motto. And more abstractly, it shows that it was born of a time of great concern for the future of the Union.
For good or for ill, when times get tough many people look toward "faith". So, although my personal beliefs may lead me to believe the motto should read "In Humankind We Believe", I realize that I have the fortune of living in a far more luxurious environment than these men did. Moreover, each progressive generation has an exponentially more distant relationship to the hardships, trials, and atrocities of previous generations. This makes it is easy to mock or deem as ignorant any faith (#2/#3) of the past and, in turn, the present. No, I don't slight anyone for their beliefs, so long as their beliefs don't directly effect my ability to follow my own. >>
well stated but would add the pessimistic attitudes ""it was born of a time of great concern for the future of the Union"" are a consistent in all unions at all times.
how better to convince the sheeple that a divine entity provides authority and sanction to their government's behavior control and taxation theft which robs them of true liberty?
It's very interesting and telling to note the stink that arose when IGWT was left off the edge of some presidential dollars, so that it had to be moved to a face of the coin...
yet the omission of the word LIBERTY on the coins passes seemingly without notice. Our founding fathers would be apalled.
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
I think the more (TRUE) knowledge and experience we get, the more that motto will make sense to us (again).
<< <i>It will funny a few thousand years from now to see what humans think is all powerful esp considering what other advancements in non-faith(def #2 says it all) based knowledge that will have most likely transpired during that time. >>
I think the more (TRUE) knowledge and experience we get, the more that motto will make sense to us (again). >>
Maybe but history has show time and time again that their is a direct correlation between the advancement of science and the evolution/antediluvian of theology. At one point people have to know there is no god living inside the mountain and it is really a volcano and what makes it a volcano.
<< <i>It will funny a few thousand years from now to see what humans think is all powerful esp considering what other advancements in non-faith(def #2 says it all) based knowledge that will have most likely transpired during that time. >>
I think the more (TRUE) knowledge and experience we get, the more that motto will make sense to us (again). >>
To many of us, this is true, but some will not see it that way, as Crypto last stated.
<< <i>
<< <i>It will funny a few thousand years from now to see what humans think is all powerful esp considering what other advancements in non-faith(def #2 says it all) based knowledge that will have most likely transpired during that time. >>
I think the more (TRUE) knowledge and experience we get, the more that motto will make sense to us (again). >>
Maybe but history has show time and time again that their is a direct correlation between the advancement of science and the evolution/antediluvian of theology. At one point people have to know there is no god living inside the mountain and it is really a volcano and what makes it a volcano. >>
History has seen a divergence but maybe not enough history has occured to get the full picture. I am afraid the motto will be gone before that day arrives though. Listen to Hawking and Einstein and you may hear a hint of the unseen.
<< <i>I shall propose.....the words "God, liberty, law" This would make a beautiful coin, to which no citizen could object. >>
That statement is false. Additional mottos do not generally improve the aesthetics of a coin design.
And there are certainly citizens who do (and did) object.
Divine references on government-issue money are just attempts by governments to seize ultimate power, by implying
that government and god are one and the same.
<< <i>
<< <i>I shall propose.....the words "God, liberty, law" This would make a beautiful coin, to which no citizen could object. >>
That statement is false. Additional mottos do not generally improve the aesthetics of a coin design.
And there are certainly citizens who do (and did) object.
Divine references on government-issue money are just attempts by governments to seize ultimate power, by implying
that government and god are one and the same. >>
Correct similar to the proclaimed divinity of the monarchs and rulers of yesteryear.
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>I shall propose.....the words "God, liberty, law" This would make a beautiful coin, to which no citizen could object. >>
That statement is false. Additional mottos do not generally improve the aesthetics of a coin design.
And there are certainly citizens who do (and did) object.
Divine references on government-issue money are just attempts by governments to seize ultimate power, by implying
that government and god are one and the same. >>
Correct similar to the proclaimed divinity of the monarchs and rulers of yesteryear. >>
Stalin and Lenin might disagree.
Edited to clarify before I get blasted. Yes, they both believed, 'religion is the opiate of the masses'. However, you would be hard pressed to find a political ideal that realized more ultimate power over its people in which religion was purposefully shunned. In other words, it is a red herring argument.
The plan was, without any deity, citizens were left with only government to "worship".
<< <i>
<< <i>I shall propose.....the words "God, liberty, law" This would make a beautiful coin, to which no citizen could object. >>
That statement is false. Additional mottos do not generally improve the aesthetics of a coin design.
And there are certainly citizens who do (and did) object.
Divine references on government-issue money are just attempts by governments to seize ultimate power, by implying
that government and god are one and the same. >>
I would think that if government wanted total control it would not want any "allegiance competition" on it's coinage. I don't remember any of Cesars coins with "In Jupiter We Trust" but maybe it existed (in latin of course).
Liberty: Parent of Science & Industry
Eric