In God We Trust. Four little words. Big theological baggage. Carried by money. In this special sneak-peek episode of Worth Its Weight, follow the surprising journey of America's national motto from its beginnings as a Civil War memorial to its unexpected role in the fight against communism—and discover how money tells some of history's most remarkable stories. --- Numismatic References: Coins 1864 Two-Cent Piece – The first United States coin to bear the motto In God We Trust.1865 Three-Cent Nickel – One of the earliest additional denominations to receive the motto.1866 Shield Nickel – Among the first circulating coins to permanently adopt the new inscription.1866 Liberty Seated Quarter, Half Dollar, and Silver Dollar – First silver denominations struck with the motto.1866 Liberty Head Gold Eagle, Half Eagle, and Double Eagle – First gold coins to display the motto.1907 Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle – Designed without In God We Trust at Theodore Roosevelt's request, sparking public criticism.1908 Indian Head Eagle and Half Eagle – Also introduced without the motto before Congress required its return.Paper Money 1957 $1 Silver Certificate – The first U.S. paper currency to carry In God We Trust.1963 Federal Reserve Note – Marked the beginning of the motto's appearance on Federal Reserve Notes.Tokens 1863 Straight's Elephantine Shoe Store Token (Albany, New York) – A whimsical Civil War store card depicting an elephant wearing boots on all four feet. Issued by Straight's Shoe Store at 398 Broadway, Albany, it illustrates the wide variety of patriotic and commercial tokens that circulated during the Civil War coin shortage. Civil War Tokens (1861–1865) – Privately issued merchant tokens that helped ease the nationwide shortage of small change and often featured patriotic, political, or religious themes.Curious what these objects look like? Visit the Money Museum website to see many of the coins and notes discussed in this episode, along with thousands of other objects from the ANA collection. --- Sources Books Bierly, William R. In God We Trust: The History of an American Motto. Atlanta: Whitman Publishing, 2019.Burdette, Roger W. Renaissance of American Coinage, 1905–1908. Great Falls, VA: Seneca Mill Press, 2006.Taxay, Don. The U.S. Mint and Coinage. New York: Arco Publishing, 1966.Primary Sources Letter from Rev. Mark R. Watkinson to Treasury Secretary Salmon P. Chase, November 13, 1861.Act of April 22, 1864 (13 Stat. 54).Act of March 3, 1865 (13 Stat. 517).Act of May 18, 1908 (35 Stat. 164).Government Resources U.S. Mint Historical DocumentsLibrary of CongressNational Archives--- Subscribe Today! If you enjoyed this episode, follow Worth Its Weight wherever you get your podcasts and leave us a review—it helps more listeners discover the stories money carries. --- Learn More About the American Numismatic Association Money Museum Money Museum Virtual Exhibits Explore the ANA Membership Worth Its Weight is an ANA production from the Money Museum, where history adds up—with interest! To learn more, explore show notes, and discover more stories carried by money, visit money.org. Follow the money. Literally.
