Donald Trump has become the first living president in a century to be featured on U.S. currency, with the U.S. Mint releasing a commemorative $1 coin. The special-edition coin, which includes the inscription "In God we trust," is part of a series celebrating America's 250th anniversary.
The U.S. Mint described the coin as capturing "the spirit, pride, and legacy of a nation approaching its landmark anniversary." The coins were offered for sale at $61 for a roll of 25 and $154.50 for a bag of 100, but were reported as "not currently in stock" on the U.S. Mint's website shortly after becoming available.
This release comes after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced in May plans for a new $250 bill also bearing a portrait of the president. Federal law generally prohibits the printing of U.S. money with the image of a living person. However, legislation introduced by Trump allies in Congress aims to create an exception, though the proposal has not advanced.
The U.S. Mint cited the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020, enacted during Trump's presidency, which prohibits living individuals' portraits on the reverse (tails side) of coins but does not explicitly cover the obverse (heads side), where Trump's likeness appears on these new $1 coins. The Thayer Amendment of 1866 bans living persons' portraits on U.S. notes, a restriction that traditionally has not applied to coins.
Historically, the last living president to appear on U.S. currency was Calvin Coolidge, whose likeness was on a half-dollar coin issued in 1926 to commemorate America's 150th anniversary.