March 22, 2007

Camden (Ouachita County) furniture manufacturer and respected coin collector Matthew Rothert Sr. is best known for his efforts to have the phrase “In God We Trust” added to U.S. currency. Rothert eagerly made speeches and wrote letters about his proposal to anyone who would listen. Finally convinced, U.S. Senator J. William Fulbright and others introduced a bill that was signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on July 11, 1955. Rothert received much praise for his efforts and later was chosen as president of the American Numismatic Association.