Trump Becomes First Living U.S. President Depicted on a Coin in 100 Years
Economy
Donald Trump has become the first living U.S. president in 100 years to have his portrait appear on an American coin. On Wednesday, the U.S. Mint released a collectible one-dollar coin featuring Trump as part of the country’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
The obverse of the coin features Trump’s portrait along with the words “Liberty” and “In God We Trust.” A set of 25 coins was sold for $61, while a bag containing 100 coins cost $154.50. Within hours of the launch, the U.S. Mint’s website reported that the coins were temporarily out of stock. They are also being sold through U.S. Mint vending machines in Washington.
Although the coins have a gold-like appearance, they contain no gold. They are made from an alloy consisting of 88.5% copper, with zinc, manganese and nickel making up the remainder.
In May, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced plans to issue a $250 banknote featuring Trump’s portrait to mark the country’s 250th anniversary. Federal law, however, prohibits placing images of living people on U.S. money.
The Trump administration has pointed to exceptions and specific provisions in existing legislation. In particular, a 2020 law on redesigning circulating commemorative coins prohibits images of living people on the reverse of coins, but does not prohibit them on the obverse. Trump’s portrait appears on the obverse of the new one-dollar coin. The 1866 Thayer Amendment also restricts portraits of living people on U.S. money, but applies to banknotes and does not cover coins.
Although the coins have a gold-like appearance, they contain no gold. They are made from an alloy consisting of 88.5% copper, with zinc, manganese and nickel making up the remainder.
In May, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced plans to issue a $250 banknote featuring Trump’s portrait to mark the country’s 250th anniversary. Federal law, however, prohibits placing images of living people on U.S. money.
The Trump administration has pointed to exceptions and specific provisions in existing legislation. In particular, a 2020 law on redesigning circulating commemorative coins prohibits images of living people on the reverse of coins, but does not prohibit them on the obverse. Trump’s portrait appears on the obverse of the new one-dollar coin. The 1866 Thayer Amendment also restricts portraits of living people on U.S. money, but applies to banknotes and does not cover coins.
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