In our present more secular time it is hard for some to envision how electric the news was a half century ago on July 25, 1957, when the U.S. Treasury Department announced the new notes bearing the motto were in production. On that date the Bureau of Engraving and Printing commenced printing $1 Silver Certificates (like the one shown) with the motto on the back above the ONE. Outgoing Treasury Secretary Humphrey and Secretary designate Robert B. Anderson observed the first sheets of the new currency coming off the new high speed 32-subject rotary intaglio presses. The BEP delivered the first batch of these notes to the Treasurer on Sept. 9, 1957.
The first $1 Silver Certificate notes with the motto “In God We Trust” were placed into circulation on Oct. 1, 1957. From Sept. 15, 1961, all U.S. paper money (except Series 1950C, D, and E which were still printed on old presses with old style back plates without the motto) printed on or since that date bear the motto. In total, hundreds of billions of U.S. notes with the motto have circulated since.
- $1 Silver Certificate
- Incorperates "In God We Trust"
- Blue Seal
- 1957B Silver Certificate
