The motto "In God We Trust" first appeared on our coinage during the Civil War. It was included on almost every Liberty Head gold coin minted from 1867 to 1907. The new Augustus Saint-Gaudens design, however, lacked this important inscription.
Teddy Roosevelt, at whose behest this coin was designed, specifically
asked for the mottos exclusion. Knowing the lifestyles of many men living
out West, President Roosevelt believed the Lord's name should not be
found on coins spent in saloons, gambling halls and brothels. The President
expressed this view in a letter to Reverend Roland C. Dryer dated November
11, 1907:
"My own feeling in the matter is due to my very firm conviction that to put such a motto [In God We Trust] on coins, or to use it in any kindred manner, not only does no good but does positive harm, and is in effect irreverence which comes dangerously close to sacrilege. A beautiful and solemn sentence such as the one in question should be treated and uttered only with that fine reverence which necessarily implies a certain exaltation of spirit. Any use which tends to cheapen it, and above all, any use which tends to secure it being treated in a spirit of levity, is from every standpoint profoundly to be regretted."
President Roosevelt's wishes were followed but only temporarily. None
of the 1907 $20 Saint-Gaudens
gold coins feature the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST". Similiarly, the
first 1908 $20 Saint-Gaudens gold coins were struck without the motto
as well.
The United States Congress viewed the issue differently. It wanted to boldly
state that our nation believed in and trusted in God.
In 1908, Congress succeeded in having the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" added
to $20 Saint Gauden gold coins. Thus, from late 1908 until the $20 Saint-Gaudens'
end in 1933, all Saint-Gaudens double eagles were struck with the motto
"IN GOD WE TRUST."
