Aronow v. United States

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This first line of cases regarding the inclusion of "In God We Trust" on US Coinage was Aronow v. United States, 432 F.2d 242 (9th cir. 1970). In that case, Aronow challenged the constitutionality of the motto and its placement on U.S. currency and coinage.

In 1970, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled: "It is quite obvious that the national motto and the slogan on coinage and currency 'In God We Trust' has nothing whatsoever to do with the establishment of religion. Its use is of patriotic or ceremonial character and bears no true resemblance to a governmental sponsorship of a religious exercise." Aronow, 432 F.2d at 243.

In addition, Aronow v. United States was referenced in the more recent case of Elk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow.