The U.S. Mint has begun producing a new $1 coin featuring President Donald Trump to commemorate America’s 250th birthday, the Treasury Department announced Wednesday.
The final design for the coin, which is slated for release in the fall, received approval earlier this year from the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts. While the finished product unveiled Wednesday has some differences from the initially approved version, it is noted as having a gold finish rather than being made of gold.
According to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the coin is intended "to honor the enduring legacy of liberty and a lasting symbol of patriotism." He further stated on X that "Featuring President Trump, it celebrates the strength of American values, and the promise of a nation dedicated to preserving freedom for all."
President Trump has previously been associated with efforts to place his name and likeness in historical records, including the renaming of institutions and the introduction of new battleships. The decision to feature his image on this coin has faced criticism, particularly due to federal law that generally prohibits the depiction of a living president on U.S. currency. However, the Treasury secretary possesses the authority to authorize the minting and issuance of coins in specific circumstances.
The obverse of the coin displays an image of Trump in a suit and tie, with a stern expression. The word "LIBERTY" is inscribed along the top arc, with the dates "1776-2026" along the bottom. The phrase "IN GOD WE TRUST" is positioned in the center.
The reverse side features a depiction of the bald eagle from the Great Seal of the U.S. The inscription "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" appears on the top half, and the Latin phrase "E PLURIBUS UNUM," meaning "Out of many, one," is present on the shield displayed on the bird's breast.
The Treasury Department did not provide specific reasons for the divergence between the final coin design and the version approved earlier this year, which reportedly showed Trump with his fists resting on a desk. Earlier in March, the Treasury Department announced that Trump's signature would be added to all new U.S. paper currency, a departure from the traditional practice of including only the signatures of the treasury secretary and the treasurer.