Judge — March 16, 1907 — page 8: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page shows a proposed coin design for 1908, featuring an anthropomorphic bear wearing a vest with "TR" (Theodore Roosevelt's initials). The bear stands upright on hind legs with radiating lines suggesting importance or power. Text around the rim reads "IN MIDDLY WE INTRUST" — a play on "In God We Trust," the actual motto. The satire appears to mock Roosevelt's political dominance and the intense public devotion to him during his presidency. The bear reference likely alludes to the popular "Teddy Bear" named after Roosevelt. The left side shows small oval badges labeled "N.Y. STATE POLITICS," suggesting commentary on New York political machinery. The bottom caption references "designs suggested for the right and reverse side," treating this as a mock-official currency proposal. This ridicules Roosevelt's seemingly monarchical or personality-cult status in American politics circa 1908.