Trump's face on new $1 gold coin defies law barring living presidents, Bessent confirms
As America commemorates 250 years of independence, the @usmint will begin striking this new $1 gold coin to honor 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… pic.twitter.com/PEMrsGqOEA
— Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) July 15, 2026
WASHINGTON, DC: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on Wednesday, July 15, that the US Mint will produce a commemorative $1 gold coin featuring President Donald Trump's likeness for the nation's 250th anniversary.
The announcement drew attention because the Presidential $1 Coin Act bars living presidents from appearing on presidential dollar coins.
Scott Bessent announces Trump-themed $1 coin
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent unveiled the coin in a post on X on Wednesday as the country prepares to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence.
"As America commemorates 250 years of independence, the US Mint will begin striking this new $1 gold coin to honor the enduring legacy of liberty and a lasting symbol of patriotism," Bessent wrote.
He added, "Featuring President Trump, it celebrates the strength of American values, and the promise of a nation dedicated to preserving freedom for all."
The commemorative coin features Trump's profile alongside the words "In God We Trust," with "Liberty" across the top and the dates "1776-2026" at the bottom.
The administration has not said how many of the coins will be produced or whether they will enter general circulation, and it remains unclear what material they will ultimately be made from.
Federal law bars living presidents
According to Politico, the law states that no person, living or dead, "could be included on the reverse side of the coin" — but some have argued it appears to allow for Trump’s portrait (or other living people) to remain on the coin face.
"However, federal law is generally understood to prohibit any living person from appearing on most currency," it stated.
When Congress created the Presidential $1 Coin Program in 2007, "it also dictated that no living presidents, or those who had died in the past two years," would be featured on those coins.
"And an 1866 law fully prohibits living people from appearing on paper currency, though it doesn’t specifically mention coinage," the outlet added.
Trump image expands across government symbols
FOX: Your face is now going to be on a coin.
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 15, 2026
TRUMP: I'm very honored. It's cute. Not a bad picture. It was very unusual, but I was honored by it. pic.twitter.com/j7H4nZjWWe
The new coin is the latest example of Trump's image being incorporated into official government symbols since returning to office.
As per the Daily Beast report, the administration has pursued branding efforts involving federal buildings, monuments, limited-edition passports and now commemorative US coins.
In March, the Commission of Fine Arts unanimously approved a separate commemorative 24-karat gold coin featuring Trump's likeness.
"As we approach our 250th birthday, we are thrilled to prepare coins that represent the enduring spirit of our country and democracy, and there is no profile more emblematic for the front of such coins than that of our serving President, Donald J Trump," Treasurer Brandon Beach said at the time.
The Trump administration is pushing to place the president's image on a proposed $250 banknote, the report said.
