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US Mint to Issue $1 Coin with Trump Portrait for 250th Anniversary
The U.S. Mint will begin producing a $1 coin featuring the portrait of President Donald Trump to commemorate the nation's 250th anniversary, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on Wednesday. The decision, however, has drawn scrutiny over its compliance with federal law.
Coin Design and Details
The new coin's design features President Trump's face on the obverse (front), along with the inscriptions "Liberty," "In God We Trust," and the anniversary dates "1776-2026." The reverse (back) of the coin will display an image of the bald eagle from the presidential seal, according to the Treasury Secretary's announcement.
This final design is a revision of a draft made public in October. The earlier version reportedly showed Trump with a raised fist and the words "fight, fight, fight," a reference to a 2024 assassination attempt. In an interview with Fox Business, Trump said he was "honored" by the coin.
Legal Questions Raised
Critics have questioned the legality of the new coin, citing specific federal statutes. While an 1866 law prohibiting the use of a living person's portrait applies to paper currency from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, a more recent law directly addresses commemorative coins.
AdKey points of the legal conflict include:
- A 2020 law passed by Congress, which specifically authorized the Treasury Secretary to mint $1 coins for the 250th anniversary, expressly forbade designs that portray any living person.
- The U.S. Treasury did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the apparent contradiction between the new coin's design and the 2020 statute, as reported by Reuters.
Implications for Collectors
Commemorative coins are typically produced for the numismatic market rather than for general circulation. Given its controversial nature and direct association with a sitting president, the Trump coin is expected to generate significant interest from collectors and political supporters.
Its unique status and the legal questions surrounding its issuance could cause the coin to trade at a substantial premium over its $1 face value in the secondary market upon release.
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