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A portrait of US President Donald Trump has appeared on a US coin, marking the first time in nearly a century that the image of a living American president has been featured on the country’s currency.
On Wednesday (September 2), the US Mint released a special $1 coin featuring Trump’s portrait to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States. The coin also bears the words “Liberty” and “In God We Trust.”
The US Mint said the special-edition coin reflects “the spirit, pride and heritage of a nation on the eve of its 250th anniversary.”
According to a BBC report, the coins were priced at $61 for a roll of 25 and $154.50 for a bag of 100 on the Mint’s website. Within hours of sales opening, the coins were listed as “currently out of stock.” The BBC said it had contacted the US Mint, the Treasury Department and the White House for further details.
The Mint said the coin was created to commemorate “this historic national milestone” and described it as a “once-in-a-generation” anniversary design that would become a special attraction for modern collectors.
The coins were also being sold through vending machines at the US Mint’s store in Washington, DC. Although they have a golden appearance, they contain no actual gold.
According to the US Mint, the coins are made of 88.5% copper, with the remainder consisting of zinc, manganese and nickel.
In May, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said his department was considering plans to issue a new $250 banknote featuring Trump’s portrait.
US federal law prohibits the printing of currency bearing the image of a living person. However, Republican lawmakers supporting Trump have proposed legislation to create an exception, although the proposal is currently stalled.
Bessent noted at the time that another living US president had previously appeared on American currency. A half-dollar coin issued in 1926 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the United States featured a portrait of then-President Calvin Coolidge.
The Trump administration has also cited the 2020 Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act. Passed during Trump’s first term, the law prohibits the depiction of a living person on the reverse, or “tails” side, of a coin.
However, the law does not explicitly prohibit a living person’s portrait on the obverse, or “heads” side. Trump’s portrait on the new $1 coin appears on the obverse.
In addition, the 1866 Thayer Amendment prohibits portraits of living people on US banknotes, although the provision has traditionally not applied to coins.
