The E-Sylum:  Volume 10, Number 40, October 7, 2007, Article 27

'IN GOD WE TRUST' RUMORS SPREAD ABOUT LINCOLN CENT REDESIGN

Rumor-smashing web site Spones.com has a nice piece this
week debunking the rumors that the new proposed Lincoln Cent
designs are part of a plot to remove the motto "In God We
Trust" from U.S. coinage:

"September 2007 the U.S. Mint announced that in 2009, to
commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of President
Abraham Lincoln and the 100th anniversary of the
introduction of the Lincoln Cent,  it would update the
venerable U.S. penny by introducing four rotating designs
depicting different aspects of Lincoln's life.  Some of
the designs under consideration by the Citizens Coinage
Advisory Committee include a log cabin (to represent
Lincoln's birth), and, as shown above, Lincoln reading
a book (to represent the future president's early life),
and Lincoln on the floor of the Illinois Legislature (to
represent his early adulthood).

"Predictably (given similar recent and inaccurate rumors
about the new presidential coins), rumors have already begun
to swirl that the upcoming redesign of the Lincoln Cent is
yet more evidence of an insidious atheist plot to remove
the motto "In God We Trust" from U.S. coinage. Two simple
facts shoot down such rumors, however:

* The prospective designs recently exhibited to the public
are simply a few concepts that the CCAC has so far decided
to recommend.   That panel is but one of three advisory
groups (along with the Commission of Fine Arts and the
Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission) offering suggestions
on the Lincoln Cent redesign to the Mint.  The final choice
of design(s) ultimately rests with the Secretary of the
Treasury, who is free to accept or reject any of the
groups' recommendations.

* All of the designs under consideration are intended to
appear on the reverse of the coin, replacing the current
engraving of the Lincoln Memorial.  The obverse of the coin,
which features the famous profile of Lincoln underneath
the words "In God We Trust," is slated to remain intact."

To read the complete article, see: Full Story

  Wayne Homren, Editor

	coinbooks.org Web

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