Money mottos: reflections of liberty?

Humanist, May-June, 2002 by David Cooper

Most Americans probably don't take notice of the mottos on U.S. coins, but both "In God We Trust" and "E Pluribus Unum" have been used in the debate over the separation of church and state as either evidence of status as a Christian nation or signs of the founders' original intent. And, as usually happens, the facts get muddled. So, I delved into the 2002 edition of R. S. Yeoman's Guide Book of United States Coins, the "official red book," for a closer look.

Since ancient times, coins have been like bumper-stickers promoting the spirit of some cause in slogans or the power of some authority in likenesses. Prior to the establishment of the U.S. mint in 1792, coins such as the Nova Constellatios (1783-1785) often echoed battle cries of the revolution--"Libertas Justitia"--without appeals for divine intervention. Before then, colonial coins varied greatly. The elephant tokens of New England and Carolina (1694) beseeched, "God Preserve Our New England" or "Carolina," respectively, with Carolina adding, "And The Lords Proprietors."

Religious references weren't always strictly Christian. Roman and Greek mythology still held appeal. The Janus Copper of Massachusetts (1776) evoked liberty as a goddess. A New Yorke token (circa 1668-1673) depicted Cupid chasing a winged Psyche. Imagine suggesting this today given how some people reacted to the Harry Potter books. Until an established government could stand behind its currency, U.S. coins were considered an annoyance and their values could be contested. The Higley coppers of 1737, for example, were originally valued at threepence. But when the quantity in circulation exceeded demand, new coins were inscribed: "Value Me As You Please."

E Pluribus Unum

Possibly the earliest U.S. coins with "E Pluribus Unum" or "Unum E Pluribus" (one from many) were the New Jersey coppers in 1786; some experimental pattern Confederation coppers, including a Washington likeness in 1786; and the New York Brasher gold doubloons and Excelsior coppers in 1787. This sentiment was also evident on Continental currency from 1776 and on the first coins issued by authority of the United States, the Fugio cents of 1787. Both had the words "We Are One" surrounded by "American Congress" on the Continental coins and "United States" on the Fugio. The other side of both admonished: "Mind Your Business."

"E Pluribus Unum" first appeared on official U.S. mint coins in 1798 on the dime and silver dollar. The word "liberty" had sufficed on the first regular issues in 1793. However, the very first coins issued in 1792 by the newly established mint --the silver center cent, Birch cent, half disme, and disme--reveal something of intentions.

First of all, George Washington disapproved of his portrait appearing on coins since it insinuated monarchy. (His likeness did appear on coins dated 1783-1795; however, Yeoman notes that "many were of English origin and made later than the dates indicate.") A female figure symbolic of liberty was decided upon; the flowing-haired image adopted may have been modeled by Martha Washington. Washington then appointed scientist and philosopher David Rittenhouse as the first director of the mint. The first motto inscribed--"Liberty Parent of Science & Industry"--reflected the Enlightenment mindset which held freedom and reason as higher priorities and the common bonds more likely to unify people than insistence on conformity to any one religion's creeds. But this humanistic motto didn't survive.

Still, the early coins were consistent with the secular government and the reasoning behind it being established as such. The country's founders recognized that the new nation was a pluralistic society. It needed more people, a healthy economy, and good relations to expand. Leaving any reference to a deity off its money not only reflected the belief that religion was a personal matter but protected religion from the taint of money. It also emphasized the practical desire to disentangle religion from government so as not to discourage immigration or foreign investors or to complicate negotiations with other countries. Thus, we have the treaty with Tripoli in 1797 assuaging any doubts: the United States was "not in any sense founded on the Christian religion."

Religious wording on coins would have circumvented the sincerity of such intentions--as would any similar wording in the Constitution. Imagine coins depicting a flag draped over a cross with the motto, "Don't Tread on Our Christian Nation"! Of course, today the United States is the dominant economic and military power in the world, and success seems to breed a desire to arrogate divine sanction. Just watch any sporting or awards event: seeking to make one's self or nation look specially favored by a god has become so linked with our national rhetoric that efforts to guard against arrogance and intolerance and protect civil and religious freedoms now may be more formidable than they were in 1787.

While "E Pluribus Unum" appeared on all denominations except for the half cent and large cent by 1804, it was left off the new designs issued in the late 1830s. A growing division over slavery and the accompanying battle for balance of power in Congress didn't exactly mirror the spirit of "E Pluribus Unum" anyway. It began to reappear in 1873 on the Trade dollar issued for circulation in the Orient.