For the first time in U.S. history, a living American president has appeared on a circulating dollar coin.
The U.S. Mint has begun selling a new gold-colored $1 coin featuring President Donald J. Trump, part of the nation’s preparations to mark its 250th anniversary in 2026.
The coin went on sale September 2 at noon Eastern time and is being offered through the U.S. Mint in rolls and bags aimed at collectors. A roll of 25 costs $61, while a 100-coin bag is priced at $154.50.
Despite being described as a “golden dollar,” the coin contains no actual gold. It is made primarily of copper, along with 6% zinc, 3.5% manganese and 2% nickel.
The obverse features Trump’s likeness, based on an official White House photograph, along with the inscriptions “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “1776 ~ 2026.” Chief Engraver Joseph Menna designed the portrait.
The reverse side of the coin features the Presidential Seal, with the number “250” added to the eagle’s shield to commemorate the nation’s semiquincentennial.
There is also a detail that could make some of these coins especially interesting to collectors: the Mint is randomly distributing 250,000 coins struck on July 4 with a special “July 4th” privy mark among the rolls and bags sold through its website.
Why is Trump’s face allowed on a coin?
The release has attracted attention because U.S. law has traditionally prohibited the portraits of living people from appearing on U.S. coins and currency.
The Trump administration says the new dollar is permitted under the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020, which authorized special $1 coins commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States during 2026.
The precedent for a sitting president appearing on U.S. currency is extremely unusual. In 1926, President Calvin Coolidge appeared alongside George Washington on a commemorative half-dollar marking the 150th anniversary of American independence. Coolidge remains the only other sitting president to have appeared on U.S. currency, reported Euronews.