U.S. Mint to produce $1 Trump coin
The U.S. Treasury is to issue a commemorative $1 coin featuring President Donald Trump to mark the country’s 250th anniversary. Federal law bans living presidents from appearing on the nation’s currency
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent may have authority over minting of commemorative coins
New design with gold finish
Original design: solid gold, with image of Trump leaning forward, fists on Oval Office Resolute Desk
1794: First U.S. silver dollar – President George Washington refuses to appear on it to avoid appearance of a monarchy
1866 THAYER AMENDMENT: Prohibits image of any living person on “bonds, securities, notes, or postal currency” but leaves loophole for coins
Introduced after Spencer Clark, official at Treasury Department, prints his own face on banknotes instead of renowned explorer William Clark
William Clark
5¢ note featuring Superintendent of National Currency Bureau
2005 PRESIDENTIAL $1 COIN ACT: “No coin issued…may bear the image of a living former or current President, or of any deceased former President during the 2-year period following the date of the death of that President”
2026: Chair of Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee which advises on coin designs states “Only those nations
ruled by kings or dictators display the image of their sitting ruler on the coins of the realm”
1926 Sesquicentennial (150-year) half dollar features sitting President Calvin Coolidge with George Washington
Sources: BBC, U.S. Mint, Britannica
Pictures: Getty Images, Wikimedia
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