Coin Collection - When did In "___" We Trust go on money?

[WillParkinson]

I know it went on paper bills in the 50's but what about coins? Does anyone know?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Yes.

It occurred during the Civil War, when Sec. of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase had it put on the coins.

That was also when Federal paper money, called "greenbacks" were printed. They weren't backed up with anything but promises. Chase wanted to put something Biblical on them as well, so he asked Lincoln for a suggestion. Honest Abe replied, "How about 'silver and gold have I none, but what I have, I give thee'?"

[punpirate]

2. Who better to know than the Treasury Department...

... in 1864, the motto first appeared on a two-cent coin. Did not appear on bills until 1957:

http://www.ustreas.gov/education/fact-sheets/currency/in-god-we-trust.html

Cheers.

[Kolesar]

3. Because of "godless communists"

Soviet states used to force people to renounce their religion, so in the 1950s politicians in the US decided to capitalize on the tie between atheism and communism and change the US motto from "E Pluribus Unum" (from many, one), to "in god we trust".

[Loonman]

4. Don't worry about it

It doesn't violate the Establisment Clause.