The US Mint began circulating $1 coins bearing the portrait of President Donald Trump on September 2 as part of the 250th anniversary of the United States, making Trump the first living US president featured on circulating coinage in nearly 100 years [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the coin "celebrates the strength of American values, and the promise of a nation dedicated to preserving freedom for all" [3].
The gold-colored coins, composed mainly of 88.5% copper with zinc, manganese, and nickel, have Trump's face on the obverse, accompanied by the inscriptions "LIBERTY", "IN GOD WE TRUST", and the dates "1776-2026" [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. The reverse side displays a version of the US presidential seal featuring an eagle clutching arrows and an olive branch, with a shield marked "250" to commemorate the anniversary [2, 3, 4, 5].
Coins went on sale at 12 PM ET on September 2 in rolls of 25 for $61 and bags of 100 for $154.50, reflecting a 144% markup over face value [1, 2, 4, 5]. Among the minted coins, 250,000 include a special July 4 privy mark struck at the Philadelphia Mint and are randomly distributed in rolls and bags [5].
The coin issuance breaks a longstanding tradition, as federal law prohibits living persons from appearing on US currency; however, the statute applies mainly to paper notes and coin reverses and does not explicitly ban likenesses of living presidents on coin obverses [1, 2, 4]. The last living president featured was Calvin Coolidge in 1926, commemorating the 150th anniversary of US independence [1, 3, 5].
Critics and some advisory committee members warned that the Trump coin could violate federal law and depart from normal precedent against labeling sitting presidents on money [3, 5]. When asked, the US Treasury did not immediately clarify the coin’s compliance with the law [2].
This release follows other moves during the 250th anniversary celebrations to feature Trump’s name or image on national institutions and currency, including plans announced by Treasury Secretary Bessent for a $250 bill bearing Trump’s portrait pending a change in law [1, 2, 3, 4]. The US Treasury also announced in March 2026 that paper money would carry Trump’s signature [4].
The Trump $1 coin sales and circulation began on September 2, with collectors and the public encouraged to check pocket change or purchase the coins directly from the US Mint [5].
