It's true...

I am not sure if it was because of activists, lobbying of Congressional representatives, whether there were petitions, or whether Congress just took it upon themselves. I honestly don't recall reading the "official" motivation behind the change. I do recall, however, reading that it had something to do with a complaint by some that the coins, since the "In god we trust" motto" was on the edge of the coin seemed "godless" to "some" people. This was ESPECIALLY true when there were error coins when the motto did not make it onto the coin at all. However, it IS true that Congress passed a law VERY late in 2007.

I've always wondered: In whose "god" is our trust, exactly? What about religions who are polytheistic? Should it then not be "in gods we trust?" What about people who believe saying the name of G-d is wrong, thus printing it on everyday currency to be spoken is just wrong? It seems clear that the "god" being "trusted" is a unique one, and if you don't worship that particular "god" you are unAmerican, somehow. Come one, you know the one, it's the only one for which there are National Holidays of any kind. It's the only one for which there are oaths administered on books from a religion stemming from it. It's the only one whose prayers open official meetings at the highest levels of public office.

I know it's a radical notion, since it's only been around since it was ratified in 1791, but the First Amendment to the Constitution, part of our Bill of Rights, says:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." So, of someone wants to capitalize his "god" than he may certainly do so, it's a free country. I encourage it.

However, don't tell me where I must worship, salute, or "trust" in anything or anyone, much less capitalize a "god" that may or may not exist and in which I may or may not believe because I am an American too, and THAT is what being an American is all about.

This was reported in local and national newspapers and I believe even has press released on the US Mint web site if you search for it.

In fact, I think there were several FAILED attempts at changing the coin, but it passed as an amendment to another law (I think a war spending bill, but don't hold me to that one), to take the words: In "god" we trust

From the incused edge of the coin and Congress instructed the US Mint to move them to the front (maybe even allowed for the back) of the coin. It just had to be on the face of the coin (though I can't swear to that part, it may be specified that it is the obverse). The Act of Congress also gave the Mint discretion over WHEN this could happen by allowing them a "reasonable" time to implement this change, thus VERY MUCH open to interpretation.

I think it is because of this reasonable time frame that we have 2008 Presidential Dollars with the motto on the edge of the coin. Otherwise, the motto on the coin would have been limited to the FIRST year of issue ONLY, making them ALL THE MORE COLLECTIBLE. No such luck. Now we get at least TWO YEARS of the motto on the edge.

The Act of Congress still allows the Mint to put the mint mark, the date, and E. Pluribus Unum on the incused edge.

Further, the Act of Congress ALSO allows for the modification of the Sacagawea coin (though I forget if that won't happen until 2010 rather than 2009), and will allow for that coin ALSO to have incused edging with the date, mint mark, and E Pluribus Unum. the Sacagawea coins will then have an annually changing reverse, dedicated to different Native American themes.

Exciting times for collectors!

They have certainly learned how to make money! (so to speak!)