Monday, November 20, 2006

Coin of the commanders in chief unveiled

The US Mint unveiled designs today for new dollar coins, featuring a rotation of US Presidents, similar to the popular state quarters that collectors find, well, collectible. Was the reason for the failure of the Susan B Anthony and Sacagawea dollar coins that they weren't collectible enough? The Mint has 200 million Sacagawea dollars in inventory, a 31 year supply at current demand. Maybe the US Mint believes Americans need even more motivation to toss dollar coins in jars and coffee cans in the backs of their closets. Maybe the Mint hopes it can unload some of those Sacagawea dollars on unwitting collectors who are looking for that widely anticipated James Monroe dollar.

But the foolishness of the Mint trying yet again to introduce a new dollar coin without retiring the dollar bill is not the reason for this post. Rather, what prompts this post is the design of the new coin that relegates "In God We Trust" to the edge of the coin. Surely, someone, somewhere, is going to take offense at this unpatriotic change, this liberal plot to take God out of His rightful place front and center in the getting and spending of daily commerce.

Fifty points to the first person who cites an independent report of someone taking umbrage at moving this motto from the face or obverse of the coin to the edge. Bonus points if it's a Texan.

1 comment:

Ed Cognoski said...

We have a winner! In a letter to The Dallas Morning News on December 1, Marsha Johnson of Fairview wrote:

"I'm not really interested in the size or weight of the new $1 coin, but I am concerned that 'In God We Trust' has been moved so as not to be readily visible and, with use, won't be visible at all. America was built on godly principles; if you don't like them, find a country that offers what you want. I'm surprised that more Christians haven't responded to this news about this coin."

So, it's an atheistic communist plot! Fifty points to ... me! ... for spotting the umbrage. Bonus points because Ms Johnson is, as expected, a Texan.