The U.S. Mint began selling gold-colored $1 coins featuring President Donald Trump’s likeness on Wednesday, priced at a premium above face value as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
The coins are legal tender but sold as collectibles, with rolls of 25 priced at $61 and bags of 100 at $154.50. The U.S. Mint confirmed they can be used as currency but emphasized their commemorative nature.
The coins, struck in a gold finish, bear Trump’s portrait on the obverse side alongside the inscriptions “Liberty,” “In God We Trust,” and the dates 1776–2026. The reverse features the presidential seal, including an eagle clutching arrows and an olive branch, with the number “250” to mark the semiquincentennial anniversary.
The U.S. Mint randomly included 250,000 special-issue coins with a “July 4th” privy mark in the bags and rolls sold on its website. The coins are composed of copper, zinc, manganese, and nickel, with no precious metals used.
Legal and Policy Context
Federal law generally prohibits living individuals from appearing on U.S. currency. However, the Trump administration has argued that a 2020 law permitting new designs for the 250th anniversary allows the president’s likeness to be used on these commemorative coins.
The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, whose members were appointed by the president, approved the coin’s design earlier this year. The commission described the coins as part of a broader effort to “honor 250 years of great American heritage.”
Pricing and Collectibility
The coins are being marketed as collectibles rather than general circulation currency. The U.S. Mint stated that the premium pricing reflects production costs, packaging, and distribution expenses, similar to other commemorative coin offerings.
The website experienced high traffic, with visitors placed on a waiting list due to the volume of purchases. The coins are available for sale through the U.S. Mint’s online catalog.
Previous and Related Developments
In July, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced plans to issue a $250 bill featuring Trump’s face, acknowledging that it would require congressional approval to override the existing law. Additionally, the Treasury has indicated that future paper money may bear Trump’s signature, another first for a sitting president.
Trump has previously described the idea of his image on currency as “very unusual” but stated he was “honored by it.” The administration has pursued other branding efforts, including placing Trump’s name on the Kennedy Center for the Arts and proposing a new ballroom in the White House.
Design and Production Details
The final design of the coin was revised from an earlier version that included a clenched fist gesture referencing the 2024 assassination attempt. The approved design features a more traditional presidential portrait.
The coins were struck on July 4 and are being distributed in rolls and bags through the U.S. Mint’s online store. The U.S. Treasury did not immediately respond to requests for comment on whether the coin complies with federal law.