The US Mint unveils a $1 coin featuring Trump, marking the first appearance of a living president on US currency in over a century.
Donald Trump’s portrait has officially made its way onto a US coin, marking a significant milestone as the first time a living president has appeared on American currency in a century.
On Wednesday, the US Mint launched the $1 coin, which bears Trump’s portrait alongside the words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.” This release is part of the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, reflecting what the US Mint describes as “the spirit, pride, and legacy of a nation approaching its landmark anniversary.”
The special-edition coins are priced at $61 (£45) for a roll of 25 and $154.50 for a bag of 100, but the mint’s website reported that they were “not currently in stock” just hours after the launch. Efforts to get further details from the US Mint, the Treasury, and the White House have been made.
The Mint emphasized that the coin’s design is a “once-in-a-generation anniversary design” that is expected to become a notable addition to modern collectors’ items.
In addition to online sales, the coins are also available from vending machines at the US Mint store located in Washington, DC.
While the coins showcase a golden hue, they do not contain any actual gold. The US Mint states that the coins are composed of 88.5% copper, along with zinc, manganese, and nickel in the remaining portion.
In May, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated that the department was considering the issuance of a new $250 bill featuring Trump’s portrait. However, federal law prohibits the printing of US money featuring the image of a living individual. Although some Trump allies in Congress have introduced legislation to change this, that proposal currently remains stalled.
During his remarks, Bessent noted that there has been a precedent for featuring a living president on currency. A half-dollar coin celebrating America’s 150th anniversary, issued in 1926, featured then-President Calvin Coolidge.
The Trump administration referenced the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020 from Trump’s first term; while this law restricts the portrayal of living individuals on the reverse (tails side) of coins, it does not specifically mention the obverse (heads side), where Trump’s likeness is displayed on the new $1 coins.
Additionally, the Thayer Amendment of 1866 bans the depiction of any living person on US notes, but this restriction has not traditionally applied to coins.
As this historic coin enters the marketplace, it continues to stir discussions about the implications of featuring a living figure on currency and its significance within American culture.
