President Trump has added his name or likeness to federal buildings, an airport, bridges and even some passports. Now, the U.S. Mint is striking a one-dollar coin featuring his face, in a rare and controversial 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 full-face image on the front next to the words "In God We Trust" and a 1776-2026 inscription. It won't include any gold or precious metals but will have a gold-like finish, a Treasury Department spokeswoman said.
"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 coin is being produced in Philadelphia and will be available this fall, the Treasury spokeswoman said.
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 designs that would feature Trump, in an attempt to slow or prevent the minting of such 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.
Administration officials have said the coin is legal.
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 as part of the celebrations of the country's 150th birthday.
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 11:24 ET (15:24 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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