In God We Trust

Put not your trust in princes, nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.
--Psalm 146:3

In the early 1900s President Theodore Roosevelt thought it was time to take US coinage into the 2oth century. For effect, Teddy first targeted the two highest denomination coins--the $10 (a.k.a. 'eagle') and $20 gold ('double eagle') pieces--for redesign. Renowned sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens won the commission, and his designs were unveiled with much acclaim in 1907.

1908 $20 PCGS MS66+ No Motto CAC

Although the art deco-inspired coins were fresh, optimistic, and inspirational, there was public outcry over the omission of the 'In God We Trust' motto that had, by law, appeared on all new issues since 1864. However, an oversight in the Coinage Act of 1892 amended the law so that the motto was no longer required. The Saint-Gaudens coins happened to be the first new issues under the amended law.

1908-D $20 PCGS MS65+ Motto CAC

It took the federal government bureaucracy more than a year to pass the necessary legislation that reinstated the motto requirement. About halfway thru 1908 production, the mints retooled their dies to include In God We Trust on gold eagle and double eagle coins.

All was right with the world again.

This author argues that recent developments demonstrate that many Americans no longer put their faith in God. He may be right.

Which bids the question, would today's Americans raise a ruckus over the omission of In God We Trust on coinage as their ancestors did more than 100 years ago?

Or might they insist on a new motto: In Government We Trust?