Monday, December 15, 2025

Question: Which famous motto did Salmon P. Chase help place on U.S. coins?

Answer: “In God We Trust.” Chase was inspired by a letter from a Pennsylvania Baptist minister and wrote to Director of the U.S. Mint James Pollock: “Dear Sir: No nation can be strong except in the strength of God, or safe except in His defense. The trust of our people in God should be declared on our national coins.”

Chase settled on “In God We Trust” on Dec. 9, 1863, and Congress approved the motto on April 22, 1864.