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When the Presidential
Dollar coin series
commenced in February 2007, it
marked the first time since 1933 that incused edge lettering appeared
on U.S. coins struck for daily commerce. The edge inscriptions included
the date, "E PLURIBUS UNUM," "IN GOD WE TRUST", and the mint mark.
The location for "IN GOD WE TRUST" was moved from the edge to the front
of the coin, beginning in 2009. The law was amended in 2007
after Congress was deluged with complaints.
New technology was developed by the Mint to apply the edge inscriptions
at a stage beyond the striking of the front and back images. This
quickened the manufacturing process considerably, something the Mint
believed was necessary to meet the expected high volume of Presidential
dollar coins bound for general circulation or Uncirculated Mint
Sets. For Proof specimens, the inscriptions are stamped onto the
edge of the coin at the same time the front and back images are formed,
but is a slower operation.
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| Edge views of the
Presidential Dollar Coin. "E Pluribus Unum" (which means "Out of Many,
One"), "In God We Trust", and the date, were placed on the edge of the
coin, in order to open up space for other design elements. Beginning in
2009, "In God We Trust" was moved from the edge to the front of the
coin, due to pressure on Congress from voters. United States Mint
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The location of the edge inscriptions vary from
coin to coin on general
circulation issues because of the enormous quantity of coins sent
through the edge-lettering machinery at high speeds. If the time was
taken to ensure the dollar coins all entered the machinery in a
standardized manner, anticipated production demands could not be met.
The manufacturing process for Proof Presidential Dollars is more
precise and deliberate, but results in the letters appearing in the
identical spot on every coin.
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