If memory serves, the slogan "In God We Trust" was first added to U.S. coinage during the Civil War, a byproduct of the rise in religious fervor of the era.  A new denomination, the two-cent piece, produced as a result of a shortage of small change, was the first coin to display the phrase, in 1864.
 
Giving your two cent's worth,
 
martin zehr
kansas city, missouri

--- On Sat, 11/17/12, John Davis <[log in to unmask]> wrote:


From: John Davis <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: In God We Trust
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Saturday, November 17, 2012, 4:41 PM


As I recall, when placing "In God we trust" on money was proposed during
his lifetime, Mark Twain said words to the effect that doing so would be
appropriate because it is the God we trust.

On Sat, Nov 17, 2012 at 4:54 PM, Rod Rawlings <[log in to unmask]>wrote:

> I must ask what I think is a reasonable question:
>
> If Mark Twain is known to have wrestled with the concept of God his
> entire adult life, questioned and doubted God, why are four respected
> Twain-promoting institutions today quietly going along with and even
> promoting a Mark Twain commemorative coin imprinted with the words "In
> God We Trust"?
>
> Unfortunately, unavoidably, my best answer must seem cynical:
>
> About $1 million each.
> --
>
> Rod Rawlings
> 941-713-4446 Direct
> MarkTwainPerforms.com
>



-- 
John H. Davis, Ph.D.
Professor of English
Department of Language and Literature
Chowan University
Murfreesboro, North Carolina 27855