Mint starts Trump $1 coin for 250th anniversary

The U.S. Mint has begun producing a new one-dollar coin featuring the portrait of President Donald Trump, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. The coin is intended to commemorate the nation's 250th anniversary of independence.

The coin's design shows a front-facing portrait of Trump on the obverse side, accompanied by the inscriptions "Liberty," "In God We Trust," and the dates "1776-2026." The reverse side features the Great Seal of the United States with a heraldic eagle and the phrases "United States of America" and "One Dollar." Despite its gold-colored finish, Treasury officials confirmed the coin is not made of precious metal. Production is underway at the U.S. Mint facility in Philadelphia, with public availability expected in the fall.

The announcement immediately sparked debate over its legality, as federal law generally prohibits the depiction of living persons on U.S. currency. The Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005 permits coins honoring only deceased presidents, and a statute dating to 1866 bars living people from appearing on currency. The Trump administration contends the coin is authorized under the Circulating Collectible Coin...