Military Officer - September 2007 - (Page 7)

The New York Mint Numismatic Review Discovered in a Smithsonian Institution Vault… The First Coin Design To Show America’s “Trust In God” The recent U.S. Mint release of the new $1 Presidential Coins, some without the motto “In God We Trust,” has numismatists digging into the history of the motto. The results revealed not only the first design attempting to use the motto, but led to the exclusive striking of this “lost” design for the VERY FIRST TIME! Unseen for over 140 years! In 1864, America’s first attempt to add a religious motto to its coins was rejected. Filed away in the pages of U.S. Mint chief engraver James B. Longacre’s sketchpads, the design remained unseen for over 140 years—until now! While studying Longacre’s notes stored in the National Numismatics Collection at the Smithsonian Institution, researchers found that the famed designer’s first attempt at the motto was actually for a $20 Gold Double Eagle with the words “Our Trust Is In God.” The design was shelved as Congress debated over the inclusion of the motto on U.S. coins. Instead of appearing on a $20 Gold Double Eagle, the first coin to utilize the motto was Longacre’s Two-Cent piece with the motto shortened to “In God We Trust.” Reverse Why the shortened motto? Was the motto shortened to accommodate the smaller denomination? We’ll never know, but now you can own a pure silver Proof of Longacre’s first endeavor to convert U.S. coinage with this magnificent proposed-motto design—struck for the very first time from his actual sketches discovered in the numismatic vault at the Smithsonian Institution! Containing one ounce of .999 pure silver and struck to an ultra-cameo Gem Proof quality, this wonderful design commemorates a piece of American history and belongs in everyone’s collection. Now you can secure the world’s first and only “Our Trust Is In God” Double Eagle Proof for only $99 (plus S&H). CALL TODAY! Obverse 800-642-9160 ext. 2501 Smithsonian Institution® New York Mint Edina, Minnesota A portion of the sales proceeds from your purchase of this licensed product supports the chartered educational purposes of the National Numismatic Collection, housed in the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. ©2007 New York Mint is a private company and is not affiliated with the United States Mint. This Silver Proof is not legal tender and the U.S. Mint has not endorsed it nor the New York Mint.

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Military Officer - September 2007 Contents From the Editor From the President Your Views MOAA Directory Rapid Fire Washington Scene Financial Forum Ask the Doctor Chapter Activities Plan for Your Future At Home in a High-Rise Lone Star Living Common Ground Insert: Community Source Cover Story: Waging War on Disease More Than Beaches MOAA Scholarship Donors Pages of History Faces of MOAA Information Exchange Advertising Index MOAA Calendar Sounding Taps MOAA Member Services Encore

Military Officer - September 2007

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