E pluribus unum appears on all U.S. Coins. It is the United States motto created on July 4, 1776. translated to “out of many, one”. It is referencing the thirteen colonies emerging as one nation.
“Washington: Government Printing Office, 1908, Page 9. – Historical Reference Collection, United States Mint.
The motto “In God we trust” was first placed upon the bronze 2-cent piece authorized to be coined by the act of September 22, 1864. Section 5 of the act of March 3, 1865, authorizing the coinage of the 3-cent piece, provided for the placing of the motto on such coins as would admit thereof. This provision was enacted under section 18 of the act of February 12, 1873. The motto was first placed on the gold and silver coins (with the exception of the dime, which was too small) January 1, 1866.
Section 3517 of the Revised Statutes of the United States adopted by the act of Congress dated June 22, 1874, did not provide for the placing of the motto on any of the coins. The motto continued to be placed on the coins upon which it had previously appeared until the adoption, in 1907, of the new For designs of the double eagle and the eagle, from which it was omitted, the inscriptions and legends being confined to those authorized by section 3517 of the Revised Statutes.
May 18, 1908, an act was passed by Congress restoring the motto “In God we trust” on the coins of the United States, to take effect thirty days after its passage. The motto appears on all gold and silver coins struck since July 1, 1908, with the exception of the dime.” To read more click here
“When creating legislation for a national mint in 1792, Congress decided that coins should continue to represent the concept of liberty on the obverse rather than a real person. Many felt that putting presidents on U.S. coins was too similar to Great Britain’s practice of featuring their monarchs. Instead, they wanted coins to reflect the country’s founding principal of liberty”. For more information visit: USMint.gov
One Word Sunday words with “C”-Coins