The United States Mint has released a new $1 coin featuring President Donald Trump to commemorate the country’s 250th anniversary.
The gold-coloured coin went on sale on 2 September and can be used as legal tender. It is being offered through the Mint in rolls and bags at prices above its face value.
Its release makes Trump one of the few living Americans, and only the second sitting US president, to appear on an official American coin.
Design marks America’s anniversary
According to the U.S. Mint, the front of the coin carries a portrait of Trump alongside the words “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST” and the anniversary dates “1776 ~ 2026.”
The reverse features the Presidential Seal, showing an eagle carrying an olive branch and arrows. It also includes a shield marked “250” to represent the anniversary.
The Mint said 250,000 of the coins were struck on 4 July with a special “July 4th” mark. These limited versions were randomly included in selected bags and rolls sold through its online catalogue.
Although the coin has a gold appearance, the circulating $1 version is not made from solid gold. It should not be confused with a separate $250 proof coin containing one ounce of 24-karat gold, which the Mint says will become available in November.
Release raises legal questions
The decision to feature a sitting president has attracted criticism and questions about whether the design complies with US law.
Reuters reported that Congress authorised the Treasury secretary to issue special $1 coins for the 250th anniversary under legislation passed in 2020. Critics argue that legal restrictions on depicting living people should prevent Trump’s image from appearing on the coin.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has defended the decision, pointing to the appearance of President Calvin Coolidge on a commemorative coin during America’s 150th anniversary in 1926.
The final design is different from an earlier proposal that showed Trump raising his fist with the words “FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT” on the reverse. That version was replaced with the Presidential Seal.
The coin has now entered production and sale despite the continuing disagreement. No court has issued a final ruling declaring the design unlawful.
