President Trump has added his name or likeness to federal buildings, airports, bridges and even some passports. Now, the U.S. Mint is set to begin striking a dollar coin featuring his face, a rare move to put a sitting president on American money.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent unveiled designs for the new "gold coin" Wednesday, which show Trump's profile on one side next to the words "In God We Trust."
"As America commemorates 250 years of independence, the @usmint will begin striking this new $1 gold coin to honor the enduring legacy of liberty and a lasting symbol of patriotism," Bessent wrote in a post on X.
"Featuring President Trump, it celebrates the strength of American values, and the promise of a nation dedicated to preserving freedom for all."
The Treasury Department and U.S. Mint didn't immediately respond to requests for comment regarding how many coins would be in circulation, what the coin will be made of, when the coin will be released and how people can get them.
A new coin with Trump's image has been under discussion for some time. In March, the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, a federal panel packed with Trump appointees, approved the idea of a commemorative coin featuring the president, endorsing the rare step of putting a living president on money.
The federal law that enabled new one-dollar coin designs for the country's 250th birthday requires design review by the bipartisan Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee. That panel has so far refused to consider putting Trump on a coin.
"If they make this coin, it is illegal and Congress should act to stop it," said Donald Scarinci, the longest-serving member of that panel.
He said Congress should confiscate any of these coins or render them void.
The effort to place Trump on U.S. coinage has drawn criticism from Democrats and coin experts, who have called it a monarchical move that is inappropriate in a democracy. A century ago, an image of then-President Calvin Coolidge appeared on a coin.
Some Republicans have previously proposed creating a new $250 bill featuring Trump's portrait. Such a change would mark the most significant redesign of U.S. paper currency, though the proposal's future remains uncertain as U.S. law prohibits living individuals from appearing on paper currency.
Write to Gareth Vipers at gareth.vipers@wsj.com and Richard Rubin at richard.rubin@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
July 15, 2026 08:33 ET (12:33 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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