The US Mint began producing a new $1 coin featuring President Donald Trump’s portrait to mark the United States’ 250th anniversary, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on July 15, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]. The coin’s front shows Trump with inscriptions "LIBERTY," "IN GOD WE TRUST," and the dates "1776-2026" [1, 2, 9, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]. The reverse displays a bald eagle from the presidential or Great Seal of the United States [1, 2, 9, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]. It has a gold-hued finish but contains no actual gold, being made of manganese-brass [1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 8]. Production takes place at the Philadelphia Mint with release planned for fall 2026 [1, 9, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 7, 8].
Treasury Secretary Bessent said, "This coin honors the enduring legacy of liberty and a lasting symbol of patriotism. Featuring President Trump, it celebrates the strength of American values, and the promise of a nation dedicated to preserving freedom for all" [1]. He cited precedent from a 1926 semiquincentennial coin featuring then-living President Calvin Coolidge to defend the coin’s legality, stating in part, "美國紀念建國150周年時，曾發行過柯立芝(Calvin Coolidge)紀念幣，所以我們可以將在世總統肖像印在硬幣上" [3]. Officials have conducted legal reviews concluding the coin does not violate federal law [3, 5, 6]. However, experts including advisory committees argue the coin production is illegal under federal law and not authorized by Congress [10]. Legal challenges were dismissed due to lack of standing, but courts did not rule on the lawfulness of the coin [8].
The 2020 law authorizing $1 coins for the 250th anniversary forbids designs featuring living people, creating ambiguity about the Trump coin’s legality [2, 3, 4, 10, 7, 8]. The Treasury interprets the law as allowing the coin as a commemorative collectible [1, 4, 5, 6]. Earlier draft designs featured Trump raising a clenched fist with the words "Fight, Fight, Fight" referencing a 2024 assassination attempt, but this was removed in the final design [2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]. Trump said, "They gave me a coin. That’s very unusual from what I understand" and expressed feeling honored to be featured [2, 4, 7].
This coin is part of a broader effort by Trump and his allies to place his name and image on various government-issued items and currency [1, 3, 5, 6]. Its release this fall is set to mark the United States’ semiquincentennial celebration with a coin face value of $1 that bears the dates 1776-2026 [1, 2, 9, 3].
