US Treasury plans to mint $1 Trump coin for America’s 250th birthday
WASHINGTON, DC: A portrait of President Donald Trump may be featured on a commemorative $1 coin as part of America’s 250th birthday celebrations in 2026.
US Treasurer Brandon Beach confirmed that the first drafts being circulated are real on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, October 3.
Beach wrote, “No fake news here. These first drafts honoring America’s 250th Birthday and @POTUS are real. Looking forward to sharing more soon, once the obstructionist shutdown of the United States government is over.”
No fake news here. These first drafts honoring America’s 250th Birthday and @POTUS are real.
— U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach (@TreasurerBeach) October 3, 2025
Looking forward to sharing more soon, once the obstructionist shutdown of the United States government is over. https://t.co/c6HChM6ijG
Trump's iconic raised-fist moment features in proposed design
The draft proposals include two powerful depictions of the president. On the obverse side, Trump’s side profile appears beneath the word “Liberty,” with “In God We Trust” at the bottom. The dates 1776 and 2026 mark the semiquincentennial.
The reverse side portrays Trump’s raised fist during the Butler, Pennsylvania assassination attempt last year. There is an American flag in the background and the words “FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT” emblazoned at the top.
A Treasury spokesperson told Fox Business that the preliminary images reflect “the enduring spirit of our country and democracy, even in the face of immense obstacles.”
While the designs are still under review, officials say the coin would be part of the Mint’s larger commemorative program for the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Long history of commemorative coins celebrating major milestones
The Treasury Department has the legal authority to mint commemorative $1 coins marking major national milestones.
Past editions have celebrated figures like Harriet Tubman and events such as the bicentennial anniversary of the Constitution.
Collectible coins have long been popular among Americans and investors alike. The upcoming semiquincentennial is also expected to be a historic milestone.
#DYK the 1932 George Washington Quarter was produced to commemorate the 200th anniversary of his birth? Fifty years later, the George Washington 250th Anniversary Half Dollar was released in 1982 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of his birth. #HappyBirthdayGeorge #GWBirthday pic.twitter.com/sERQOA9HvV
— United States Mint (@usmint) February 22, 2023
The best-selling coin in US history remains the 1986 Statue of Liberty issue, which sold nearly 15.5 million units.
Other major successes included the George Washington 250th anniversary half dollar in 1982, which sold more than 7 million coins; the Los Angeles Olympic coins in 1983-84, with more than 5 million coins sold; and the Constitution Bicentennial coins in 1987, with over 4 million coins sold.
Possible hurdles Treasury may face over Trump commemorative coin
The Treasury has not yet selected a final design, but officials indicated that the Trump drafts are part of the active consideration process. However, there's one major hurdle to this.
As per the US code governing coin design, "No coin issued under this subsection may bear the image of a living former or current President, or of any deceased former President during the 2-year period following the date of the death of that president."
The Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020 further states, "No head and shoulders portrait or bust of any person, living or dead, and no portrait of a living person may be included in the design on the reverse of specified coins."
A decision is expected once the current government shutdown ends, with further announcements on the semiquincentennial coin program likely in the months ahead.
