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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 late 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 image |
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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