WASHINGTON: The US Treasury has issued new Trump $1 coins featuring President Donald Trump’s portrait, marking the latest and highly unusual effort to place the Republican president’s personal image on US national institutions and currency.
The coins were minted to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, celebrated in 2026. The new Trump $1 coin features Trump’s face alongside the words “Liberty” and “In God We Trust,” as well as the dates 1776–2026.
The US Mint said on Wednesday that the coins are “also in circulation,” adding a monetary dimension to what was initially expected to be a commemorative issue.
A roll containing 25 coins was offered for $61, while a 100-coin bag was priced at $154.50.
Trump $1 Coin Raises Legal Questions
The launch of the Trump $1 coin has raised questions because federal law generally prohibits the portrait of a living president from appearing on US currency.
When the Treasury first announced the coins, it was unclear whether they would have monetary value or be issued strictly as commemorative collectibles. The US Mint’s statement that the coins are also in circulation has intensified questions surrounding their legal status.
The Treasury did not immediately respond to requests for comment about whether the new coin complies with federal restrictions.
The other side of the coin features a version of the US presidential seal, showing an eagle holding arrows and an olive branch. A shield marked “250” appears at the centre to represent the anniversary of American independence.
Trump Expands Use of His Name and Image
The Trump $1 coin is the latest example of the president’s efforts to put his name or likeness on prominent US institutions and national symbols.
During his second term, Trump has challenged established political and institutional conventions. His name has been placed on the Kennedy Center for the Arts, while the White House East Wing has been demolished to make way for a new ballroom.
The administration has also explored placing Trump’s image on other forms of US currency.
In May, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the department was pursuing plans for a new $250 bill featuring Trump’s portrait. Bessent acknowledged that Congress would need to change existing law because living people are generally prohibited from appearing on US currency.
The Treasury has not yet provided a detailed explanation of how the Trump $1 coin fits within the existing legal framework.
Trump Currency Plans Extend Beyond $1 Coin
The new Trump $1 coin comes as the administration continues to explore unprecedented ways of associating the president with US currency.
In March, the Treasury announced that US paper currency would soon carry Trump’s signature, another unusual development involving a sitting US president.
Supporters could view the anniversary coin as a celebration of Trump’s presidency alongside the 250th anniversary of American independence. Critics, however, are likely to see it as another example of the president breaking with long-standing traditions surrounding the separation between political leadership and national institutions.
The legal debate surrounding the Trump $1 coin could intensify if the coins become widely circulated and questions remain over whether existing restrictions on living presidents appearing on US currency apply to the new issue.
