The US Mint has begun manufacturing a $1 commemorative coin bearing Donald Trump's likeness, the Treasury Department confirmed Wednesday. The coin will hit circulation this fall as part of America's 250th anniversary celebration.
The move marks a historic shift in currency policy. Federal law has long prohibited living presidents from appearing on US money, yet Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the coin aims "to honor the enduring legacy of liberty and a lasting symbol of patriotism," celebrating "the strength of American values, and the promise of a nation dedicated to preserving freedom for all."
Treasury officials retain the authority to authorize commemorative coin production in certain circumstances, providing the legal mechanism for the release. The US Commission of Fine Arts, whose members were appointed by Trump, approved the final design earlier this year, though the version unveiled Wednesday differs from what was initially authorized.
The coin's design splits the traditional format. Trump appears on the obverse in a dark suit and tie, his expression stern and unsmiling. "LIBERTY" runs along the top edge, with "1776-2026" marking the bottom. "IN GOD WE TRUST" sits centered on the face.
The reverse carries the bald eagle from the Great Seal. "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" circles the top, while the eagle's shield displays "E PLURIBUS UNUM."
One significant change from the Commission's original approval involves the coin's material composition. The version now in production features a gold finish rather than solid gold construction, a modification that was not part of the initially sanctioned design.
This commemorative coin joins other recent efforts to elevate Trump's prominence in federal institutions. In March, the Treasury announced his signature would appear on US paper currency for the first time as sitting president, requiring the treasurer's signature to be removed, a change not made since 1861. Trump has also sought to attach his name to major government facilities and military assets, including a push to rename the Kennedy Center and the US Institute of Peace, along with a new class of battleships bearing his designation.
Author James Rodriguez: "A sitting president on a coin breaks more than a century of tradition, legal hurdles or not. This is going to fuel more debate than a commemorative piece should ever generate."
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