← Back to articles · Hobby & visiting shops ·
E Pluribus Unum and In God We Trust: the mottos on US coins
E Pluribus Unum is the older motto. In God We Trust arrives in the Civil War and becomes required later. Missing letters are usually wear, not a rare error.
Two mottos do most of the work on United States coins.
E Pluribus Unum — out of many, one — is the older civic line. It is on the Great Seal. It shows up on early gold and silver in the late 1700s and becomes a regular guest through the 19th century.
In God We Trust is later. The two-cent piece of 1864 is the first circulating coin to carry it, in the Civil War. Congress made it the national motto in 1956. It is required on coins and paper now. Two-cent piece. What legal tender means.
Why a letter is missing
On a worn coin, mottos die in a fixed order. High letters go first. That is circulated wear, not a mint error. Error-coin hype.
A true missing motto variety exists on a few types (some 1866–1868 Shield nickels without the motto, some early $20s, and a handful of others). Those are listed types. They are not your slick 1964 dime.
Liberty, eagles, and the rest of the language
The mottos sit next to Liberty, eagles, stars and shields, and the fasces / olive / torch set. Together they are the civic kit. None of them make a common date scarce.
Paper money
Silver certificates, gold certificates, and Federal Reserve notes also carry mottos and seals. A motto does not make a star note. Star notes. Gold certificates. Silver certificates.
Continue in the coin and money library. Related visitor guides: for shop visitors.