"A fundamental aspect of every country's government is its monetary system. The United States government planned the National Mint shortly after the Constitution was ratified, and the rest is history-U.S. history. Readers will learn that all American coins since 1873 have carried the words "E Pluribus Unum" (Out of Many, One) and what this powerful phrase means. Historical photographs, insightful fact boxes, and a map of the coin-producing mints help readers learn more interesting aspects of the operations of the American government while making essential connections to the elementary social studies curriculum"-- Provided by publisher.