A “godless dollar” refers to some of the first Presidential dollar coins, specifically the George Washington issue. Due to a production error at the Philadelphia Mint, these coins were released without the inscription “In God We Trust” on their edge. This missing edge lettering led to public controversy and piqued collector interest in the coins that came to be known as godless dollars.
The Presidential $1 Coin Series
Congress passed the Presidential $1 Coin Act in 2005, which aimed to issue dollar coins in a series honoring U.S. presidents. The Presidential dollar series was inspired by the success of the 50 State Quarters program, with Representative Mike Castle leading the legislation to encourage dollar coin production. In its first year, the program released four designs, starting with George Washington, followed by John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison—Four pivotal Founding Fathers in American history.
The 2007 George Washington dollar was first released on February 15, 2007, to mark his birth date. It was the first of the series and was struck in significant numbers: The Philadelphia Mint alone produced 176,680,000 George Washington Presidential dollars, 36 times greater than the prior Sacagawea dollar mintage. The high montage run underscored the U.S. Mint’s hopes of revitalizing the dollar as a popular and functional part of U.S. coinage.
Missing Edge Lettering Error
One of the key features of the first year’s Presidential dollar series was its edge lettering, which included the mottos “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” as well as the mint mark and date. The edge lettering was incused on the edge in a second production step that took place after the coin’s primary strike. However, in 2007, thousands of Washington dollars bypassed the edge-lettering process, which resulted in coins that were issued without the motto. These circulated widely, with a large concentration in the Jacksonville, Florida, area, where one collector reportedly acquired a large number of them.
Approximately 250,000 Washington dollars were released without edge inscriptions. While that is relatively few compared to the total mintage, these quickly became known as “godless dollars” and attracted collector interest due to their unique and scarce availability.
Public Reaction and Myths
The missing “IN GOD WE TRUST” inscription led to significant public reaction and became the subject of widespread myths. Some Americans believed it was part of a government effort to remove religious references from currency, with calls for boycotts that circulated email forwards and online forums. The urban-myth-busting website Snopes debunked these claims, explaining that the omission was a minting error rather than a deliberate act. Nevertheless, the nickname “godless dollars” stuck, and the controversy fueled the enthusiasm collectors’ had for acquiring these unique error coins.
Market Value and Collector Appeal
As a result of their rarity and market demand, the value of Presidential dollars missing edge lettering inscriptions sold for substantial premiums. Over time, the market for “godless dollars” stabilized, and uncirculated coins sell for less than $100 today, depending on their condition and grading. Examples in higher grades like MS-66 or higher still command greater premiums.
The U.S. Mint also produced satin-finish specimens for collectors. These special coins, included in the Uncirculated Coin Sets, were struck with sandblasted dies to create a unique texture. Though high-quality, these satin-finish coins, struck at both the Philadelphia and Denver mints, did not gain the same level of attention as the error coins.
Quality Control Changes and Further Errors
Following the Washington dollar error, the Mint implemented new quality control measures to reduce the risk of future mistakes. Color-coded bins were introduced to keep unfinished coins separate from completed ones, and additional checks were added at each production stage. However, similar errors surfaced with the next release: Some John Adams dollars also appeared without edge lettering, though in much smaller quantities. Some coins even featured doubled edge lettering, with phrases like “IN GOD WE TRUST” stamped twice on the coins.
These errors highlighted the challenge of transitioning to a new production process, even with added oversight.
Legislative Changes and Final Design Update
In response to the controversy, Congress passed a law in December 2007 requiring that “IN GOD WE TRUST” be moved from the edge to the obverse or reverse of all future Presidential $1 coins. This change took effect in 2009, beginning with the William Henry Harrison coin. The revised edge lettering now includes only the year, mint mark, and “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” permanently ending the incused edge motto.
The 2007 “godless dollar” error will remain a noteworthy moment in U.S. coinage that illustrates the complexities of modern minting. Although the omission was unintended, the controversy solidified its place in numismatic history. These fascinating and controversial coins serve as reminders of the meticulous processes of coin production and the unexpected impact an error can have on public perception and collector demand.
