How “In God We Trust” Came to Appear on America’s Paper Money

In 1953, furniture manufacturer and coin collector Matthew Rothert Sr. noticed something during a church offering:

American coins carried the words “In God We Trust,” but paper bills did not.
According to his family, he believed God was prompting him to help change that. Rothert saw paper currency as a way for those words to travel far beyond America’s borders.
He turned that conviction into action, writing letters, giving speeches, and encouraging public officials to support the idea.

His wife, Janet, helped with the correspondence as the campaign gained support.

In 1955, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation requiring the motto on U.S. currency. The following year, In God We Trusti became the official national motto. In October 1957, the words first appeared on one-dollar silver certificates.
Rothert was one of several people who helped make that change happen. Looking back, he described his motivation simply: iThe Lord seemed to tell me to do this.”

For Christians, his story offers encouragement to put conviction into practice with patience and persistence. A small beginning can lead to something that reaches generations.