No Motto Depression Coin & Currency Collection

All of today’s coins and bank notes feature the motto “In God We Trust” – but at one time, the motto was not included in the designs.

During the Civil War 150 years ago, Congress mandated that “In God We Trust” had to appear on the nation’s money. Not all coins and bank notes were quick to adopt the motto, and this collection brings together one of the last coins and bank notes without the motto.

Both items date to the 1930’s at the height of the Great Depression.

The Series 1935 $1 Silver Certificate was the last U.S. bank note without the motto “In God We Trust.” The motto was added later in the series (on the back, above the large “ONE” in the center), but this note is one of the early editions without the motto. Silver Certificate bank notes circulated alongside other types of currency such as Federal Reserve Notes; they are easily identified by the distinctive blue Treasury seal and serial numbers (unlike the green seal and numbers on today’s Federal Reserve Notes). Each Silver Certificate was backed by its face value in silver bullion or silver coins in the United States Treasury, and the holder of the note could actually exchange it for the silver.

The classic and beloved Buffalo Nickel was minted from 1913-1938. It celebrates the culture and heritage of the American West, and the designs are recognized as some of the most beautiful and artistic ever to appear on a U.S. coin.

The coin was designed by sculptor James Earle Fraser. It shows a Native American chief on the obverse and a massive buffalo on the reverse. The Jefferson Nickel, which replaced it in 1938, was the first nickel to include the motto.

Both of these items have been out of issue for over 80 years and are seldom seen today – especially in a set like this. The collection is displayed in a custom wallet with fascinating information about the motto and the items in the collection.