Reply #26

In the discussion thread: Should we remove "In God We Trust" from currency? [View all]

Sat May 26, 2012, 09:18 PM

26. "In God We Trust" was first used on paper money in 1955

Last edited Sat May 26, 2012, 09:20 PM USA/ET - Edit history (2)

It first appeared on silver certificates of Series 1935G (1955), and then on all Federal Reserve Notes from Series year 1963 to date. However, it first appeared on US coins (2-cent pieces) in 1864, and then was required by law in 1866 to appear on all US coins larger in denomination than 10 cents.

And a variation of it can be traced back to at least as early as 1814, when Francis Scott Key wrote, in a long-forgotten verse of The Star Spangled Banner, "And this be our motto: In God is our Trust"

So it's been part of Americana since at least 1814.

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119 replies	Author	Time	Post
Should we remove "In God We Trust" from currency? [View all]	JonLP24	May 2012	OP
Yes. What the heck is it doing there anyway? What on earth is the frikkin' idea? nt	Sarah Ibarruri	May 2012	#1
It was adopted as the official motto of the US in 1956.	TheWraith	May 2012	#30
It's always the psycho-fundies. nt	Sarah Ibarruri	May 2012	#37
THIS OP GAVE ME A GREAT IDEA	Snotcicles	May 2012	#47
We could charge a higher rate depending on positioning. Like prime real estate. nt	Snotcicles	May 2012	#48
Our dilemma would be solved because we would need the space for more profitable ventures. nt	Snotcicles	May 2012	#49
That's a great idea! If some can sell God on the dollar bill, why not others? nt	Sarah Ibarruri	May 2012	#60
Banknotes won't necessarily get bigger.	mwooldri	May 2012	#80
You should boycott all US currency	Nuclear Unicorn	May 2012	#116
Why is not liking the promoting of God on currency such a preposterous thing? nt	Sarah Ibarruri	May 2012	#118
I could care less and I am an atheist.	RebelOne	May 2012	#2
Of course you mean "You couldn't care less"!	Logical	May 2012	#3
If he is not caring less enough, then it's obvious that he could care less! n/t	Larry Ogg	May 2012	#54
True!!	Logical	May 2012	#59
Atheist here as well. Not a hill I care to die on.	alphafemale	May 2012	#50
My debit card takes the place of all those dollar bills. n/t	RebelOne	May 2012	#106
Yes but there are far more important things to worry about, plus it would be a huge distraction..	Fumesucker	May 2012	#4
Why?	Happydayz	May 2012	#5
Because it excludes those who don't trust God?	Fumesucker	May 2012	#9
Does it? I'm an atheist, and my money spends just the same.	JoePhilly	May 2012	#29
I always find it instructive to turn things around the other way..	Fumesucker	May 2012	#38
Again, there are plenty of more important issues to deal with.	JoePhilly	May 2012	#51
That was conceded in the opening post.	Marr	May 2012	#53
A piece of "Americana" since 1954	HarveyDarkey	May 2012	#12
"In God We Trust" was first used on paper money in 1955	Art_from_Ark	May 2012	#26
Interesting, similar timing to when "under God" was added to the pledge	treestar	May 2012	#33
I believe fear of godless Commies was the impetus for the 1950s actions	Art_from_Ark	May 2012	#45
No - it bothers me.	Plucketeer	May 2012	#14
"Didn't the pilgrims come here JUST TO ESCAPE	Union Scribe	May 2012	#39
Replace it with "E Pluribus Unum" . . .n/t	annabanana	May 2012	#6
Yes! n/t	fredamae	May 2012	#13
If it was good enough for the Founding Fathers	Mariana	May 2012	#19
Yes	no_hypocrisy	May 2012	#7
Yes,	yortsed snacilbuper	May 2012	#8
Yes.	stevedeshazer	May 2012	#10
We probably should, but it's not going to happen.	MineralMan	May 2012	#11
I apologize	JonLP24	May 2012	#17
The subject comes up from time to time, and gets discussed.	MineralMan	May 2012	#20
I missed those discussions	JonLP24	May 2012	#25
No.	Shrek	May 2012	#15
They've managed to replace quite a bit of currency over the years. n/t	cynatnite	May 2012	#65
Huh? Newly minted paper and coin are placed into circulation daily.	cleanhippie	May 2012	#85
Yes, what you have described is practical	Shrek	May 2012	#102
I should have been more specific	JonLP24	May 2012	#103
Paper currency has a limited shelf life...	Humanist_Activist	May 2012	#90
Yes	DJ13	May 2012	#16
no	ibegurpard	May 2012	#18
Yes. I'm atheist, but...	liberalmuse	May 2012	#21
I would prefer to remove it, but I'm not going to work to do so	RainDog	May 2012	#22
Leave it.	TheCowsCameHome	May 2012	#23
Money IS America's God. And, it's the deity we fight wars for.	Tierra_y_Libertad	May 2012	#24
Yep. And, in that light, I find it higly amusing.	GoCubsGo	May 2012	#57
I'd ditch it.	jp11	May 2012	#27
God, yes!	JFN1	May 2012	#28
I always thought it was stupid	Gore1FL	May 2012	#31
Does any other country have that?	treestar	May 2012	#32
To MONEYTHEISTS	DearAbby	May 2012	#34
we had to prove to the godless commies that god was on our side	madrchsod	May 2012	#35
Not quite yet -- Wait until gold goes past $100,000 per ounce	FarCenter	May 2012	#36
I respect your opinion on the subject, but why the insults though?	Happydayz	May 2012	#40
Welcome to DU!	Fumesucker	May 2012	#63
Hello, Fumesucker and thanks for the welcome!!	Happydayz	May 2012	#73
My daughter's best friend through middle and high school was a Mormon..	Fumesucker	May 2012	#76
Agnostics who believe in a higher power?	cynatnite	May 2012	#66
I've know many self-proclaimed agnostics	Happydayz	May 2012	#72
They're not agnostics then...	cynatnite	May 2012	#84
Wow, I must have unintentionally hit a nerve	Happydayz	May 2012	#99
You seem to think that I'm crying or angry or something despite how funny you have been...	cynatnite	May 2012	#101
Nope, I have no problems with atheist	Happydayz	May 2012	#113
LOL - extremist atheist	JonLP24	May 2012	#104
No Atheist Philanthropists?	Heddi	May 2012	#108
WHAT insults at Christianity were you responding to? Cite them.	dmallind	May 2012	#111
WHICH "White Nationalists" are part of the "huge" atheist wing? Name them.	dmallind	May 2012	#112
Comparing one's religion (a choice) to race, gender, sexual orientation is not only erroneous -->	daaron	May 2012	#114
Are you fucking kidding me?	cleanhippie	May 2012	#86
The Peace Corps.	bahrbearian	May 2012	#109
At least three of the top 5 philanthropists are non-believers	dmallind	May 2012	#87
Try this one	Warpy	May 2012	#92
Since atheists are not really a formal group,	Curmudgeoness	May 2012	#94
I'm sorry but the preferred adjective to describe atheists who speak up is "rabid" not "militant"..	Fumesucker	May 2012	#96
They seem to have run away	skepticscott	May 2012	#105
I really don't think you have any idea	mr blur	May 2012	#97
To answer one of your very dishonest questions	Heddi	May 2012	#107
Thank you...	awoke_in_2003	May 2012	#110
"Obviously as a Christian"	Mariana	May 2012	#95
I think you've got the rules a little wrong . . .	MrModerate	May 2012	#117
Yes	KansDem	May 2012	#41
I think we should let America's premier psychedelic artists do a complete full color redesign.	Warren DeMontague	May 2012	#42
Yes, but the religious nuts would get crazier.	sarcasmo	May 2012	#43
Considering the visceral reaction from a lot of people - I don't think it is worth spending the	Douglas Carpenter	May 2012	#44
No. It's not religion, it's tradition. nt	Honeycombe8	May 2012	#46
It's the only thing left since it's no longer backed by gold or silver.	hobbit709	May 2012	#52
I don't care...	99Forever	May 2012	#55
Yes. Listen to your own damn book: "Ye cannot serve God and mammon." nt	Romulox	May 2012	#56
Thank you.	GoCubsGo	May 2012	#58
Given that the other stuff is fixed, hell yes, get rid of it. n/t	Egalitarian Thug	May 2012	#61
As an aethist - no.	hack89	May 2012	#62
Yes	RedCappedBandit	May 2012	#64
Absolutely yes. It has no business being there...	cynatnite	May 2012	#67
No, We should use the whole motto.	Wolf Frankula	May 2012	#68
It wasn't on coins until 1864.	roamer65	May 2012	#69
I don't really care either way.	ScreamingMeemie	May 2012	#70
As someone firmly in the agnostic column...	TroglodyteScholar	May 2012	#71
Just updated to ====In God We Trust, Incorporated	dinopipie	May 2012	#74
removing it would create plenty of problems	0rganism	May 2012	#75
We could cross out "God" and write in "Elvis" or whoever/whatever floats your boat. nt	raccoon	May 2012	#77
As a matter of faith, I would remove it	quaker bill	May 2012	#78
I don't believe in a God so how can I trust in that	madokie	May 2012	#79
I don't know any other country that has "God" on their money.	mwooldri	May 2012	#81
Yes it should be removed, but it won't happen.	MNBrewer	May 2012	#82
Yes! Government needs to stay out of the religion business!	backscatter712	May 2012	#83
In God We Trust	KamaAina	May 2012	#88
Beat me to it.	ManiacJoe	May 2012	#119
Yes.	Arugula Latte	May 2012	#89
Yes, it's a relic of the cold war	nadinbrzezinski	May 2012	#91
I'm a Christian	Jamaal510	May 2012	#93
It's more a symptom than a problem, but of course it doesn't belong there. (nt)	DirkGently	May 2012	#98
Remove it.	Quantess	May 2012	#100
Replace it with "HAULIN' ASS, GETTING PAID"	datasuspect	May 2012	#115

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