"In God We Trust" left off new presidential coins

[Sauniere]

Had not a clue where to post this, so it ended up here.

The new U.S. one dollar presidential coins will be minted without the standard "In God We Trust" on the reverse.

What say ye, do you care? I do not care. BUT, if we are TRULY a country that believes in separation of church and state, then maybe it shouldn't be on the coins. Then, there's that very long tradition, and "God" can mean anyone's God, not just the Christian God... :shrug:

http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/$1coin/index.cfm?action=Washington

[Dangerrmouse]

You mean it isn't Mammon?

[Atticus]

"All others pay cash"

I'm opposed to this for all the reasons I've mentioned in other threads.

[Sauniere]

You mean it isn't Mammon?

Well, since Mammon is viewed as a false God, I doubt the founding fathers had him in mind... :rolleyes:

[Sauniere]

I am amazed that the uber-righteous here have nothing to say about this turn of numismaticalogical events.

When was the last time a US coin did not have "In God We trust" stamped upon it?

[Atticus]

When was the last time a US coin did not have "In God We trust" stamped upon it?"Congress passed the Coinage Act (1864) on April 22, 1864. This legislation changed the composition of the one-cent coin and authorized the minting of the two-cent coin. The Mint Director was directed to develop the designs for these coins for final approval of the Secretary. In God We Trust first appeared on the 1864 two-cent coin."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_God_We_Trust

[Sauniere]

"Congress passed the Coinage Act (1864) on April 22, 1864. This legislation changed the composition of the one-cent coin and authorized the minting of the two-cent coin. The Mint Director was directed to develop the designs for these coins for final approval of the Secretary. In God We Trust first appeared on the 1864 two-cent coin."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_God_We_Trust

I knew you'd come thru, thanks Amigo!

[Craig]

Sauniere,

I've moved this to current events, because it's the most appropriate place for it.

[steveksux]

And in the same article, it mentions that the motto appeared on paper money around 1957.

Pretty recent development.

Randy

[Sidgaf]

Had not a clue where to post this, so it ended up here.

The new U.S. one dollar presidential coins will be minted without the standard "In God We Trust" on the reverse.

What say ye, do you care? I do not care. BUT, if we are TRULY a country that believes in separation of church and state, then maybe it shouldn't be on the coins. Then, there's that very long tradition, and "God" can mean anyone's God, not just the Christian God... :shrug:

http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/$1coin/index.cfm?action=Washington


The motto is on the edge of the coin, and some of the first coins were minted in error without the motto, and are highly prized by collectors.

http://www.ngccoin.com/news/viewarticle.asp?IDArticle=459

[Antipathy]

Well, since Mammon is viewed as a false God, I doubt the founding fathers had him in mind... :rolleyes:Just a few thoughts…

The last founding father (Madison) died in 1836 and, as Aticus's post shows, the motto wasn't put on the coins for another 26 years, so the founding fathers clearly had no say in it.


According to the Houghton Bible Dictionary, a Mammon is: A New Testament expression for material wealth, which some people worship as a god. Figuratively, it simply means money.


It is my guess that money is far more idolised than God (of any denomination), so there's a good argument to say that the devoutly religious should be against having his name associated, in any way, with the symbol of his biggest rival.


For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. -Timothy 6:10 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1TIM%206:10&version=50;)

[Atticus]

Just a few thoughts…

It is my guess that money is far more idolised than God (of any denomination), so there's a good argument to say that the devoutly religious should be against having his name associated, in any way, with the symbol of his biggest rival.


For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. -Timothy 6:10 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1TIM%206:10&version=50;)A fair point. There's the passage where Jesus says "render unto Ceasar what is Ceasar's and render unto God what is God's." (Matthew 22:21)

[Sauniere]

Just a few thoughts…

The last founding father (Madison) died in 1836 and, as Aticus's post shows, the motto wasn't put on the coins for another 26 years, so the founding fathers clearly had no say in it.


According to the Houghton Bible Dictionary, a Mammon is: A New Testament expression for material wealth, which some people worship as a god. Figuratively, it simply means money.


It is my guess that money is far more idolised than God (of any denomination), so there's a good argument to say that the devoutly religious should be against having his name associated, in any way, with the symbol of his biggest rival.


For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. -Timothy 6:10 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1TIM%206:10&version=50;)

Great post. I love it when you guys out-research me.
Clearly in my mind God has no place on our currency.
But is this change an outcome of some form of litigation?

[Sauniere]

A fair point. There's the passage where Jesus says "render unto Ceasar what is Ceasar's and render unto God what is God's." (Matthew 22:21)

God has no place on money.
The fact that our country places him on money and in our pledge of allegiance is an aberration when compared to other European countries.

[Atticus]

God has no place on money.
The fact that our country places him on money and in our pledge of allegiance is an aberration when compared to other European countries.Is the US a European country? :rolleyes:

[Sidgaf]

God has no place on money.
The fact that our country places him on money and in our pledge of allegiance is an aberration when compared to other European countries.

I wouldn't go that far. All current UK coins include the Latin inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FIDEI DEFENSOR in abbreviated form, which translates as "Elizabeth II, by the grace of God, Queen and Defender of the Faith", with Elizabeth II facing to the right.

But on the other hand, Theodore Roosevelt once wrote:
"My own feeling in the matter is due to my very firm conviction that to put such a motto on coins, or to use it in any kindred manner, not only does no good but does positive harm, and is in effect irreverence, which comes dangerously close to sacrilege...It is a motto which it is indeed well to have inscribed on our great national monuments, in our temples of justice, in our legislative halls, and in building such as those at West Point and Annapolis -- in short, wherever it will tend to arouse and inspire a lofty emotion in those who look thereon. But it seems to me eminently unwise to cheapen such a motto by use on coins, just as it would be to cheapen it by use on postage stamps, or in advertisements."

[Sauniere]

I wouldn't go that far. All current UK coins include the Latin inscription ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FIDEI DEFENSOR in abbreviated form, which translates as "Elizabeth II, by the grace of God, Queen and Defender of the Faith", with Elizabeth II facing to the right.

But on the other hand, Theodore Roosevelt once wrote:
"My own feeling in the matter is due to my very firm conviction that to put such a motto on coins, or to use it in any kindred manner, not only does no good but does positive harm, and is in effect irreverence, which comes dangerously close to sacrilege...It is a motto which it is indeed well to have inscribed on our great national monuments, in our temples of justice, in our legislative halls, and in building such as those at West Point and Annapolis -- in short, wherever it will tend to arouse and inspire a lofty emotion in those who look thereon. But it seems to me eminently unwise to cheapen such a motto by use on coins, just as it would be to cheapen it by use on postage stamps, or in advertisements."

Great quote. That's why I really admire this man.

[Sauniere]

Is the US a European country? :rolleyes:

Hardy har har, sorry for the "other"

[Dangerrmouse]

The founders were......;)