Atheist Money

Finally, coins utterly lacking trust in God:

An unknown number of new George Washington dollar coins were mistakenly struck without their edge inscriptions, including "In God We Trust," and made it past inspectors and into circulation, the U.S. Mint said Wednesday.

The official statement from the U.S. Mint:

The United States Mint understands the importance of the inscriptions "In God We Trust" and "E Pluribus Unum," as well as the mint mark and year on U.S. coinage. We take this matter seriously.

Comments

[I. Self. Divine.]

I want one.

[VM]

Probably leftie, unemployable English majors from Art's grad program...

Srsly:

some Fun Facts about igwt on moolah

[Warren]

Side note:
What is it with the Feds constantly trying to foist dollar coins on a public that has continuously rejected them? They're almost as bad as soccer fans.

[Pro Libertate]

Fools! This marks a mere transition period before embossing our currency with the phrase, "In Zod We Trust". Tremble and weep, inhabitants of the Planet Houston!

[jtuf]

There was a time when coins didn't have faces on them. Something about not wanting to aggrandize the presidents.

[Lamar]

Some of these things are selling for close to $300 on ebay.

[whoa]

I think coin collection is more or less the gayest thing on Zeus's Green Earth but I would pay serious money to get my hands on some of this cash.

Like, probably up to $3 a coin. (This is provided that I can't find any on my own.)

If you have your hands on some of these, contact me at state.hater-at-Gmail.com

[VM]

Woah - have you tried the hobby of not collecting stamps?

[Shelby]

Which is it? Does the Mint really "understand[] the importance of the inscriptions "In God We Trust" and "E Pluribus Unum," or does it "take this matter seriously"? Because it can't be both at once.

[smacky]

VM,

I have the same hobby -- I don't collect stamps, either! I'm not very good at it, though, since I have some Muppets stamps lying around somewhere. What can I say; I am an amateur.

I want one of these coins, too.

[brotherben]

FYI...If you take the dollar coins to the titty bar, dont make a "coin slot" joke before drunkenly trying to tip the dancer. It ends bad every time.

[VM]

Smacky -

as long as it's not collecting stamps, you're okay. Chalk this up to a simple filing switch: your hobbies are not collecting stamps and collecting some Muppets materials.

(assume you've seen the Onion's t-shirt, "I appreciate the Muppets at a much deeper level than you", grin)

brotherben - as long as you're not asked to bat the coins over to them, baseball style...

[Rhywun]

What is it with the Feds constantly trying to foist dollar coins on a public that has continuously rejected them?

They should (a) reduce taxes by the amount of money saved by making coins instead of bills and (b) remove the $1 bill from circulation.

[blogimi Dei]

With permenent pen I scratch out "in god we trust" anyway... On bills that is...

[ktc2]

Any bad news in the financial markets in the near future will doubtless result in a Falwell speech about how god has removed his protection from our financial markets because we took him off our currency.

[I. Self. Divine.]

I'm curious, does anyone know how much cheaper it is ro manufacture the coins rather than bills?

[I. Self. Divine.]

*cheaper it is to manufacture

[JohnJacksonIII]

I like Dollar coins- If I end up with too many I just use them for Tips and Tolls.

I ended up with 19 one time when I bought a stamp ( USPS vending only gives coin change)- a nice assortments of Sacagewea and Susan Bs.

[de stijl]

I do collect coins and I used to collect stamps and have this to say to you hatas:

You people are BASTARD PEOPLE!

I just HATE you ... and I hate your ... ass ... FACE!

[VM]

"I just HATE you ... and I hate your ... ass ... FACE!"

Now Now, Corky. Calm down. Go back off, off, off Broadway 🙂

best.reference.of.the.day.

[de stijl]

I.Self.Divine,

The manufacturing costs are the lesser issue. Bills have to be culled and replaced (average life span is ~ 18 months depending on the demonination. Coins last for decades.

[Sphynx]

Warren: Besides the usual statist desires to control the economy, etc, the hard facts of materials durablity is the primary reason the FEDs want to fill our pockets while picking our wallets.

A US $1 bill has an average life span (mean time to failure?) of around 6 months.

Any general circulation, bi/tri metalic coin has an average usefull life time of 15-20 years. The coin only costs about twice the amount needed to produce the bill.

[Stevo Darkly]

So our currency with no real backing that corresponds to the face value now includes a denomination of coin that almost everyone dislikes and hardly anyone uses, some of which are lacking an inscription that I've never before noticed. Can my faith survive?

[Chris]

Not to speak for the Almighty, but does anyone really think God wants to be associated with the overgrown monstrosity that is the Federal State?

I mean, offhand, just thinking about the 10 commandments that everyone wants to post on all government buildings, I can think of at least 7 commandments that the Federal state breaks on a collective basis, and the remaining 3 are frequently broken by individual 'leaders'.

[Soccer Fan]

"They're almost as bad as soccer fans."

What the...?

[de stijl]

"cheaper it is to manufacture"

If there's already a "Talk Like A Pirate Day" on the interwebs why isn't there a "Talk Like Yoda Day?"

Make it happen, I should.

[International Jew Banker Consp]

"The coin's design has already spurred e-mail conspiracy theories claiming that the religious motto was purposely omitted from the Washington dollars. That rumor may have started because the edge lettering cannot be seen in head-on photographs of the coins."

Muhahahahahah. Yep, you caught us.

[ed]

the Feds constantly trying to foist dollar coins on a public that has continuously rejected them

The dollar coins, certainly, but all those crappy state quarters (and now even nickels) are being collected. The reason the govt. keeps releasing them is because fools and outright mongoloid idiots think they are worth something and they hoard them, taking them out of circulation and taking the govt. off the hook regarding their tangible worth. The mint has flooded the numismatic market with nearly worthless coinage because dopes and dupes keep buying and collecting them, and the mint makes a profit on them.

[highnumber]

If there's already a "Talk Like A Pirate Day" on the interwebs why isn't there a "Talk Like Yoda Day?"

Be on your side, I will.
Sometime in the spring, this day should be.

[Timon19]

It couldn't possibly be true that the reason the dollar coins get "rejected" by the public all the time is that the default tender became - and has been for quite some time - the paper version, could it? Mightn't have anything to do with the fact that the overarching infrastructure is in favor of the paper and that that is what people are used to, no?

At one time, paper currency in the smaller whole denominations was "foisted" upon the public, true? Any introduction of a different medium has to compete with the institutionalized predominance of the existing. That's a big-ass barrier in this case.

[de stijl]

The dollar coins won't fly in the US unless they simultaneously kill the dollar bill (cf. Canada). This frees up a slot in retailers' cash drawers.

Most vending machines are ready thanks to the aborted Susie B's and Sackies.

Dollah, dollah, dollah, dollah bill, y'all.

[dhex]

"With permenent pen I scratch out "in god we trust" anyway... On bills that is..."

i write "fnord" across the eye in the pyramid on the back of all singles.

[Chris S.]

de stijl,

We won't kill the U.S. dollar bill because our stipper lobby isn't as powerful as the USC (United Strippers of Canada), who got rid of the Candian dollars to force strip club patrons to drop fivers instead of crappy one dollar bills.

[I. Self. Divine]

de stijl: My friend preview is.

[QuietReaderGirl]

I got a Spam forward from one of my family's religious wingnuts days ago about how outraged people were about the money without "In God we trust" and demanded a boycott. I expect I'll get a "See how our protest got those godless liberals it back on" any day now.

[de stijl]

Chris S.,

That one's easy.

You walk in the club and buy some scrip "Boobie Bux" from the cute girl up front wearing a bow tie, vest, and a thong (now that's an outfit for Doherty to wear!).

You use your Boobie Bux for your rail sittin', private lap dance / table dance / 12 feet away dance (depending on your location) exchanges, and the hard workin' ladies of Beaver Dam Bustiers and Booby Emporium trade their Boobie Bux for real American dollar coins at the end of their shift.

Hell, it will even help the patrons budget more efficiently! If I only have fifty Boobie Bux, I ain't gonna go tossin' one at the lazy-eyed girl.

[Russ 2000]

There was a time when coins didn't have faces on them. Something about not wanting to aggrandize the presidents.

Most US coins had a face of a fictional "lady liberty" on them, before the presidential fetish started (with Abe Lincoln on the penny in 1909). Of course, every president that's been dead for 40 years has become a fictional character at this point.

[Chris S.]

That's an excellent idea. My guess is that they'd quickly become the counterfeit currency of choice.

[Rhywun]

We won't kill the U.S. dollar bill because...

Americans have an olde time-y belief that the dollar is worth something close to what it's always been. Meanwhile, I'm so sick of my wallet bursting with singles, I have to toss 'em in a box because I can't spend them fast enough.

[Your Good Buddy Johnny Clarke]

I've often wondered why religious people WANT that statement on money. Doesn't that cheapen God? It seems almost like idolatry. Probably some Catholic plot.

[Stevo Darkly]

"See how our protest got those godless liberals it back on"

TODAY is apparently "Talk Like a Strange Amalgamation of Rush Limbaugh, Yoda and Sir Mix-a-Lot Day." 🙂

[Isaac Bartram]

The smallest denomination note in Australia is the five. Printed on mylar, so it lasts longer.

Below that they have two and one dollar coins plus the fractional ones.

One more sensible move the Aussies have made is to take the penny out of circulation. Cash prices are set to the nearest five cents although I believe pennies are still a bookkeeping unit.

[Bill]

Talk Like Yoda Day is May 22nd. Also, with paper dollars you don't have pre-warm them before giving them to the dancers.

[VM]

Stevo - don't forget this day

[I should know]

No! Don't do the Boobie Bux thing. Give the ladies real cash. The house takes a cut of your Boobie Bux. If you tip the ladies with actual money, they don't have to share. They already get ripped off bad enough by being charged a "stage fee" to show up to work, and the big cut the house takes from every lap dance.

[de stijl]

Bill,

A, you mean there already is "Like yoda day talk, hmm?" I feel like a complete moron for googling it first to see it there was one not. Me ignorant color. Herh herh herh.

[downstater]

all the presidents and creepy masonic crap on our currency is just strange. doesn't canada have a bill with people playing hockey on it?

also, notice that the best of the state quarters are not the ones that cop out and put a stupid outline of the state on it.

why can't currency be just like stamps? if i have a stamp with louis armstrong on it - it's worth the same as one with a photo of a mountain range or something, right?

since money is just a bunch of numbers on our online banking sites - why can't we just get dollars with whatever we want on them?

hmmm. too much time to think today.

[de stijl]

Okay, let me get this straight. All of half-assed stupid ideas of today already exist? There already is a Talk Like Yoda Day and Boobie Bux are already being used to screw dancers and patrons?

I'm definitely not a special and unique snowflake today.

[Federal Messiah]

Render unto Washington what is Washington's, and unto God what is God's. In that order.

[Nooner]

Also, with paper dollars you don't have pre-warm them before giving them to the dancers.

Bill, what if we WANT to pre-warm them? If you get my meaning and I think you do (I'm talking about my crotch).

[Eryk Boston]

In God We Trust is perfectly appropriate on our money as a reminder that our currency is entirely faith-based.

[Drew W]

I just got one of those new dollar coins, and "In God We Trust" is where it's supposed to be.

Weird thing is, it's also got an upside-down biplane on it. Go figure.

[Thomas Paine\'s Goiter]

Count me as a fan of the coins. MORE LOONIES PLEASE!

[Rhywun]

Weird thing is, it's also got an upside-down biplane on it. Go figure.

Probably worthless, then. I'll take it off your hands.

[Fugio]

Thank God for godless money.

[highnumber]

Talk Like Yoda Day is May 22nd.

I was right about springtime.

[Grant Gould]

This is preparation for the eventual Nixon Dollar which will reject the inscription like a bum kidney. Coins will in fact preemptively melt rather than contain both the word "trust" and the face of Nixon.

[ChrisO]

Americans have an olde time-y belief that the dollar is worth something close to what it's always been. Meanwhile, I'm so sick of my wallet bursting with singles, I have to toss 'em in a box because I can't spend them fast enough.

That's what Boobie Bux are for.

[Drew W]

Rhywun: Sorry, too late. I just used it to buy a Sprite.

[kohlrabi]

de stijl,

"I'm definitely not a special and unique snowflake today."

Tell me about it! I seriously just found out today that my idea for a free reed hybrid of an accordion and an oboe, an idea I've been working on for at least a month, already existed! It bugs the crap out of me.

http://www.vintage-instruments.com/navigate/catidx6.htm

(scroll down to Harmonicor, under free reeds)

[Jaybird]

I'm of the opinion that the reason the Sacagawea and Susan B. dollars failed is because they have women on them.

These new dollars with DWM? They'll stick. Trust me on this.

[Warren]

Tell you what, I'll accept dollar coins if they stop minting pennies. Pennies are a complete drag on the economy. Everything you pay for is calculated to that infinitesimal fraction. Save up ten pounds, and you're still short of a Jackson. Just round it to the nearest nickel for Abe's sake.

[LanceThruster]

I seriously want one of these coins. I like the fact that the IGWT was left off but not the "E Pluribus Unum."

Also, when I "deface" my bills, I squeeze in "^NO" to make it "IN ^NO GOD WE TRUST." I'll sometimes even add (S) tp make it "IN ^NO GOD(S) WE TRUST." If those so adamant on retaining it were honest and felt compelled to have it in a version that is not an outright lie, an acceptable version might be "IN SOME GODS SOME TRUST" but that merely highlights the inappropriateness of having it there at all. What the hell makes the govt think they have any right whatsoever to make such a statement about a collective belief system? It is either a lie (as I as a citizen consider myself part of the "WE") or they do not consider non-monotheists as part of the collective "WE." Either way is bullsh*t.

[Isaac Bartram]

Warren, you'd like Australia. See my comment above.

[Herb Schaffler]

"or they do not consider non-monotheists as part of the collective" George Bush Sr. didn't. He said he didn't consider atheists patriots or even citizens.

[Timon19]

Warren,

Yeah, the penny has long since outlived its usefulness.

< pedant >Though .01 isn't infinitesimal by a long shot < /pedant >

[Herb Schaffler]

"Coins will in fact preemptively melt rather than contain both the word "trust" and the face of Nixon."

You're right and the same thing can be said about Clinton.

[dagny]

I have the same hobby -- I don't collect stamps, either!

I make a point whenever I get one of sending it to someone else on the top right hand side of an envelope. I am clearly dedicated to the Not Collecting Stamps hobby.

[Gamito]

An unknown number of new George Washington dollar coins were mistakenly struck without their edge inscriptions, including "In God We Trust," and made it past inspectors and into circulation, the U.S. Mint said Wednesday.

Uh, if they are still made of that make-believe gold plating, then it matters little what they stamp on those coins. I prefer bullion coin, if you guys don't mind, my religious convictions (or lack thereof) notwithstanding.

[Kurt]

... but all those crappy state quarters (and now even nickels) are being collected.

1) Collect nickels
2)?????
3) Profit

Collecting nickels is an excellent way to kick Uncle Sugar in the balls. It's also my back-up plan for retirement. See http://www.coinflation.com (copy and paste to you browser address bar, I don't know how to embed a URL)

[brotherben]

as far as God being associated with the monstrosity that is the federal state, lets not forget that God is allegedly associated with the monstrosity that is the christian church here in amenica. I respectfully submit that the govt aint got shyte on the church.

can I get an amen?

[VM]

AMEN! Brotherben! AMEN

Kurt - excellent reference!

to embed:

this site helps with html commands

with triangle brackets, I'll use bracers, do this:

{a href="http://website.com"}website{/a}

Other linking methods:
{a href="URL"}{/a}
Creates a hyperlink

{a href="mailto:EMAIL"}{/a}
Creates a mailto link

{a name="NAME"}{/a}
Creates a target location within a document

{a href="#NAME"}{/a}
Links to that target location from elsewhere in the document

(Amen)

[Russ R]

"Talk Like Yoda Day is May 22nd."

Wouldn't "May the fourth" have been a better choice?

[highnumber]

VM,

How do you do that?
A-fucking-men!

[highnumber]

Wouldn't "May the fourth" have been a better choice?

Absolutely.

[Akira MacKenzie]

The United States Mint understands the importance of the inscriptions "In God We Trust"...

To whom?

To the backward, bigoted, American populace who equates religious belief with patriotism and "decency?" To the politicians who pander to that mass stupdity?

And just what will happen if we don't affirm the existence of the majority's imaginary friend on our currency, hmmm? Will America suddenly come to an end? Will the cities crumble? Will all of the good white, Christian children drop dead from God's displeasure? This is magical thinking; primitive, barbaric, and worthless in 21st century civilization.

"In God We Trust" (and the "one nation under God" phrase in our pledge) is meant for one thing and one thing only: It is the cultural equivalent of a dog marking it's territory, and woe be it to those who don't appreciate getting pissed on in the process.

[jkii]

Pennies are a complete drag on the economy. Everything you pay for is calculated to that infinitesimal fraction.

The fractions (and the need for pennies) are more often caused by sales tax rather than merchants trying to set just the right price.

I'm OK with abandoning pennies from a practical POV. But in a vigorous economy where production would often exceed demand, prices would generally fall and a penny would be worth keeping. So giving up on the penny is to concede that that won't happen.

[The Real Bill]

In God We Trust is perfectly appropriate on our money as a reminder that our currency is entirely faith-based.

I agree. Fiat money requires faith.

[Jonathon Roberts]

these are still going for hundreds of dollars on ebay. Time to bust out some sand paper.

[James Anderson Merritt]

I like the idea of a dollar coin with an upside down biplane on it. A perfect image.

As far as dumping the penny, I'm against it. Better to revalue the dollar so that the penny (and all currency) buys more. With a strategic revaluation, most of life's transactions could occur within a range of .01 to 100.00. The penny would buy something valuable, and the dollar would once again be real money.

Getting rid of the penny would mean the inflation terrorists have won.

[Lamar]

We all know that "In God We Trust" is just a phallic symbol.