Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on Wednesday that the U.S. Mint will strike a new $1 gold coin bearing President Donald Trump’s likeness to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary.
In an X post, Bessent called the coin a tribute to “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,” he wrote.
The coin’s obverse shows Trump’s portrait, with the word “LIBERTY” across the top, “1776 ~ 2026” along the bottom, and “IN GOD WE TRUST” on the right side. The reverse displays a presidential‑style eagle shield, the numeral “250” at its center, and the legends “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “ONE DOLLAR.”
US TREASURY PLANNING TO MINT $1 COINS WITH TRUMP’S IMAGE
President Donald Trump boards Air Force One at Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, New Jersey, on June 21, 2025. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)
Federal law typically forbids living individuals from appearing on U.S. currency. The Trump administration noted that the coin is authorized under a 2020 law permitting special designs for the 250th‑anniversary celebrations.
The announcement quickly generated debate on social media. Critics branded the effort a “vanity project.” Representative Jerry Nadler (D‑NY) wrote on X that the coin underscored the administration’s “affordability crisis,” while Representative Thomas Massie (R‑KY) warned that commemorative gold coins could be sold as “worthless knockoffs.”
Supporters hailed the piece as a fitting tribute for the semiquincentennial, saying it would appeal to collectors and symbolize the nation’s enduring spirit.
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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is pictured on June 4, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Rep. Thomas Massie, R‑Ky., also criticized the move.
“Congratulations, we’ve entered the end stages. Eliminate the penny, plug the nickel, and make some commemorative gold coins nobody can afford,” Massie wrote. “I feel sorry for the folks who will be sold worthless knockoffs of this by the usual grifters.”
Meanwhile, others praised the coin as a fitting tribute to the country’s semiquincentennial.
“Whether you’re a numismatist, history buff, or just love a strong symbol of American resilience, these coins are sure to be in high demand. They’re a fitting tribute to the nation’s enduring spirit of liberty and determination on this milestone birthday,” one user wrote on X.
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A February 6, 2025, photo shows the U.S. Treasury in Washington, D.C. (AFP/Getty Images)
FOX Business reported last year that the Treasury Department was considering minting new $1 coins bearing Trump’s image as part of the 250th‑anniversary commemoration.
“Despite the radical left’s forced shutdown of our government, the facts are clear: Under the historic leadership of President Donald J. Trump, our nation is entering its 250th anniversary stronger, more prosperous, and better than ever,” a Treasury spokesperson told FOX Business at the time.
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