Truemag

Menu
  • What’s it Worth?
      • US Coin Values WorthU.S. Coin Values
      • 1943-copper-centU.S. Error Coin Values
      • Paper Money Values WorthU.S. Paper Money Values
      • Paper Money Error ValuesU. S. Paper Money Error Values
      • Philippines Coin Values WorthPhilippines Coin Values
    • Close
  • Sell Your Coins
    • Sell Your Coins
    • CoinSite Buyers FAQ
    • Truth in the Coin Shop
    • Should I get my coin collection appraised?
    • Close
  • Gold & Silver
    • U.S. Gold Coins
    • Bullion Gold/Silver
    • Territorial/Fractional Gold
    • Silver
    • U.S. Silver Coins: When They Ended and What They’re Worth
    • Morgan Silver Dollars
    • Close
  • U.S. Coins
    • U.S. Coins & Currency
      • U.S. Cents
      • U.S. Nickels
      • U.S. Dimes, Quarters & Half Dollars
      • U.S. Dollars
      • U.S. Gold Coins
      • Close
    • Exceptional U.S. Coins
    • U.S. Classic Commemoratives & Government Sets
    • History of U.S. Coins
      • The History of U.S. Coins
      • Commemoratives
      • Close
    • United States Paper Money
    • Close
  • World Coins
    • World Coins & Paper Money
    • World Coins – History
    • Selected World Coin Articles
        • North America
          • U.S. Coins & Currency
          • Exceptional U.S. Coins
          • Colonial America
          • Canada
          • Close
        • Europe
          • France
          • Great Britain
          • Spain/ Spanish Colonial/ Latin America
          • Italy/Vatican
          • Germany/Austria
          • Close
        • Australia
        • Asia/Middle East
        • Close
      • Close
    • Close
  • Coin Doc
    • Articles & Opinions
    • Ask the Coin Doc
    • Coin Doc’s Archives
    • Numismatically Speaking
    • General
    • Close
  • Exceptional Coins
    • Exceptional U.S. Coins
    • Close
  • Errors
  • Cleaning Coins
  • Fun Coin Q&A
  • FAQ
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Valuing Coins
    • Coin Grading
    • U.S. Gold Coins
    • United States Paper Money
    • Coins in General
    • Resources
1

When did “In God We Trust” first appear on U.S. paper money?

Nick writes: When I was a kid I found a $5 dollar bill in my dad’s room which I took without asking and used for lunch money. It turned out that it was some special bill he had been saving. He said that it was special because it didn’t say “In God We Trust” on it. I’ve felt bad ever since, and I want to get him another one if I can. What can you tell me about these bills and where can I get a $5 bill without the motto? When did “In God We Trust” first appear on U.S. paper money?

Prior to 1957, the motto “In God We Trust” did not appear on U.S. currency. It was first added in 1957 pursuant to a 1956 Joint Resolution by the 84th Congress declaring the phrase as the national motto. As the Bureau of Engraving and Printing was in the process of converting to new high-speed intaglio printing presses during that period, the appearance of the motto on different denominations took place in stages.

U.S. currency denominations/series that first displayed “In God We Trust”:

  • $1 Silver Certificates – Series 1935-G (some), 1935-H, 1957, 1957A, 1957B
  • $1 Federal Reserve Note – Series 1963, 1963-A
  • $2 United States Note – Series 1963, 1963-A
  • $5 United States Note – Series 1963
  • $5 Federal Reserve Note – Series 1963
  • $10 Federal Reserve Note – Series 1963, 1963-A
  • $20 Federal Reserve Note – Series 1963, 1963-A
  • $50 Federal Reserve Note – Series 1963-A
  • $100 United States Note – Series 1966-A
  • $100 Federal Reserve Note – Series 1963-A

There are 12 Federal Reserve Banks that are represented on United States Federal Reserve Notes carrying Letter A-L (Boston-San Francisco). Unlike coins, U.S. paper money is not yearly dated but retains the same series date over time until the signatures of the Treasurer of the United States (ceremonial only) and the Secretary of the Treasury change.


The change is usually signified by the addition of a letter such as 1934A. The series date changes when there is a design change to the notes (usually but not always). For example the $20 series after 1934D is series 1950. Currently, 1934 series $20 FRN only bring a premium over its face value if the note is uncirculated.

Examples of U.S. paper money both with and without the motto “In God We Trust” are readily available from coin dealers.

Dec 29, 2013coindoc
1690 Austria 3 KruezerGeorgivs III Del Gratia coin from 1701?
You Might Also Like
 
1893 Chicago Worlds Fair Columbian Exposition half dollar
 
1797-1804 EAGLE DRAPED BUST HERALDIC EAGLE
coindoc
9 years ago U.S. Coins & Currency0
The Coindoc's MOST POPULAR
  1. U.S. Coin Values
  2. U.S. Error Coin Values
  3. U. S. Paper Money Error Values
  4. U.S. Paper Money Values
  5. About Us
  6. CoinSite Buyers FAQ
  7. Sell Your Coins
  8. Philippines Coin Values
  9. History of U.S. Coins
Menu
  • U.S. Coin Values
  • Sell Coins
  • U.S. Coin History
  • Exceptional Coins
  • FAQ
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy

 

2023 © CoinSite