In a historic move, the US Mint is set to release a $1 gold coin featuring President Donald Trump, marking the first time in a century that a sitting president will appear on US currency. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on Wednesday that this coin will honor the 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026.
While the specific launch date, pricing, and production numbers of the coin remain undisclosed, Bessent shared the design on social media. The coin's front showcases President Trump's portrait along with the inscriptions 'Liberty,' 'In God We Trust,' and '1776-2026.' The reverse side features the Great Seal of the United States with a heraldic eagle, symbolizing national pride.
This coin's design has a backstory that goes back to 2025 when initial drafts were unveiled. One of the early versions depicted Trump in a more combative stance, but the final design opts for a more traditional representation. It's important to note that this $1 piece differs from another 24-karat gold commemorative coin approved earlier this year, which will feature Trump in a seated pose.
Interestingly, the legal framework surrounding the minting of this coin is complex. An 1866 law prohibits living individuals from appearing on US currency, with the exception of Calvin Coolidge, who shared a coin with George Washington in 1926. However, the legal loophole being utilized here is the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020, signed by Trump himself, allowing for the creation of $1 coins featuring designs commemorating the upcoming Semiquincentennial.
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