Trump Becomes First Living President in 100 Years Featured on Circulating Coin

The U.S. Mint has introduced $1 coins featuring the likeness of former President Donald Trump, making him the first living president to appear on circulating U.S. currency in a century. The coins, which entered circulation on September 2, 2026, also commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with inscriptions "1776 ~ 2026," "LIBERTY," and "IN GOD WE TRUST."

These gold-colored coins, made of manganese brass, are available for purchase on the U.S. Mint's website and can be used as legal tender. Rolls of 25 coins are priced at $61, while a bag of 100 coins costs $154.50. The U.S. Mint announced their circulation via social media, encouraging the public to "check your pocket change."

A special striking of 250,000 coins includes "July 4th" markings and were produced at the Philadelphia Mint. The Mint stated that these specific coins were struck on July Fourth.

The appearance of a living president on U.S. currency is unusual. While generally prohibited, the Trump administration contended that the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020 permitted this design for the nation's Semiquincentennial. The law permits a president's likeness on the face of a coin but not the reverse.

The last instance of a living president being featured on U.S. Mint coinage was a century ago for the U.S. Sesquicentennial. A silver half-dollar coin depicted then-President Calvin Coolidge behind a bust of George Washington. That initiative saw a low demand, with many coins returned and melted.

The production of the Trump coin faced scrutiny when Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent did not seek a review from the bipartisan Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee, an advisory body established by Congress. Committee members raised concerns about the process. However, the Treasury maintained that the committee was offered multiple opportunities to review the designs and declined. U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach stated that the Mint had fulfilled its statutory obligation for review and that Bessent held sole discretion over the final design.