United States President Donald Trump’s face has officially found its way onto the country’s currency. On Tuesday at 12pm Eastern Time ( ), the US Mint began circulating – and selling – a “once-in-a-generation” $1 coin bearing Trump’s likeness to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary. The gold-coloured coins feature Trump’s portrait on one side, alongside inscriptions of “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST”.
On the reverse is an illustration of the US presidential seal with “250” inscribed on its shield. The US Mint says the coins “capture the spirit, pride, and legacy of a nation approaching its landmark anniversary”. It’s the first time in nearly 100 years that a living person has been featured on US currency, drawing a heavy dose of criticism, since such honours are largely reserved for long-dead dignitaries.
How did this $1 coin come to be? Here’s what you need to know: Since Trump returned to the White House last year, the administration has taken steps to put his name or image on an array of buildings and items, including the Kennedy Center, the US Institute of Peace, National Parks passes, a limited-edition passport and a $1m “gold card” visa that was announced last year. The Trump administration has tied some of those efforts to celebrations of the country’s semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
On July 15, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent first announced the coin in a post on social media. Bessent said the coin “celebrates the strength of American values, and the promise of a nation dedicated to preserving freedom for all”. The Trump administration has also pointed to another anniversary coin as a precedent for the Trump-branded $1 piece.
In 1926, for the 150th anniversary of the country, the US Mint struck a coin featuring side-by-side portraits of George Washington and Calvin Coolidge, a president who was in office at the time. But critics have pointed out that the 1926 coin was commemorative and not intended for circulation as currency. In May, Bessent also said preparations were under way to print a new $250 banknote featuring Trump’s face.
Bessent added that the Trump administration was seeking congressional approval for the new bill. Despite the coin being valued at $1, consumers can purchase a 25-coin roll for $61 or a 100-coin bag for $154.50 — a significant mark-up. While the coins are being sold at a premium, the US Mint emphasises they are not solely decorative.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
