- Donald Trump's portrait has made its way on to a US coin - the first time a living president has appeared on American currency in a century.
- The US Mint launched the commemorative $1 coin with a portrait of Trump alongside the words "In God we trust", to celebrate America's 250th anniversary.
- The coins were not currently in stock on the US Mint's website within hours of going on sale.
- In 1926, a coin for the 150th anniversary featured Calvin Coolidge.
- In 2020, Trump signed the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act, which only bans living figures on the reverse side.
- In May, Treasury Secretary Bessent announced plans for a $250 banknote with Trump's face.
- On July 15, Bessent first announced the coin on social media.
- Last year, Democratic senators introduced legislation to block the coin.
The US Mint's new $1 coin featuring Donald Trump's likeness has sparked controversy as it marks the first time a living president has appeared on US currency in a century.2
The coin, launched to celebrate America's 250th anniversary, features the words "In God we trust" and the word "LIBERTY" above Trump's portrait, with the dates 1776 and 2026 suggesting a narrative of liberty's demise under his presidency.
Critics, including Democratic lawmakers, have condemned the coin as a violation of federal law, which traditionally prohibits living figures on currency.
"I like that this design appears to show the birth date of liberty as 1776, and its death as 2026," remarked Catherine Rampell from The Bulwark.
The US Mint defends the coin's legality, citing the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020, which allows for commemorative coins, although it does not explicitly cover living individuals.5
The coins are priced at a significant markup, with a roll of 25 costing $61 and a bag of 100 at $154.50, raising questions about their intended use as currency.
"This is not only inconsistent with congressional intent to honor 250 years of United States’ history, but also un-American," said Senator Jeff Merkley, criticizing the move as an authoritarian action.
The coin's release has ignited a debate over the appropriateness of featuring a sitting president on currency, a practice historically reserved for deceased figures.
"We must reject his efforts to dismantle our ‘We, The People’ republic," Merkley added, emphasizing the need for accountability in government actions.
“The coins, priced at $61 for a roll of 25 and $154.50 for a bag of 100, sold out within hours, reflecting a more than 50% markup. Democratic Senator Catherine Cortez Masto called the coin 'completely contrary to America's democratic values' and introduced legislation to block it.”
BBC
The Independent
