The U.S. Mint has begun selling the gold-colored $1 coin featuring President Donald Trump as part of celebrations marking the country’s 250th anniversary. The coins are legal tender, but the Mint is also marketing them as collectibles commemorating the milestone.
“Created to celebrate this historic national milestone, these special circulating dollar coins combine everyday American coinage with a once-in-a-generation anniversary design destined to become a standout addition to modern collections,” the U.S. Mint said on its website.
Although each coin carries a $1 face value, collectors will pay more to get them from the Mint. Rolls containing 25 coins will sell for $61, while a 100-coin bag is priced at $154.50 — equivalent to about $2.44 and $1.55 per coin. Purchases will initially be limited to two of each product per household.
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Among the coins being sold are 250,000 special versions struck at the Philadelphia Mint on July 4. Those coins carry a “July 4th” privy mark and will be randomly distributed among the rolls and bags.
What the coin looks like
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced the move in a post on X, saying the coin will “honor the enduring legacy of liberty and a lasting symbol of patriotism.”
The front of the coin features President Donald Trump’s portrait alongside the words “IN GOD WE TRUST.” “LIBERTY” and the dates “1776–2026” also appear on the obverse, marking the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The reverse carries the Presidential Seal, with “250” displayed on the shield across the eagle’s chest. The eagle holds an olive branch in one talon and arrows in the other, while a banner in its beak reads E Pluribus Unum, Latin for “Out of many, one.” “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “ONE DOLLAR” complete the design.
Despite its gold-colored appearance, the coin does not contain any actual gold. It is made primarily of copper, along with 6% zinc, 3.5% manganese and 2% nickel.
The final design also differs significantly from concepts released earlier in the process. One proposed version depicted Trump raising a clenched fist in front of an American flag, an image referencing the attempted assassination at his Pennsylvania campaign rally in 2024. That design was ultimately replaced by the version now being sold.
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Can a living president appear on a US coin?
The decision to put a sitting president on the coin has raised questions about federal restrictions on depicting living people on U.S. money.
The Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020, which authorized special coin designs for America’s 250th anniversary, states that no portrait of a living person may appear on the reverse of coins issued under the program. Trump’s portrait appears on the obverse of the final $1 coin.
A Treasury spokesperson said reviews by both the department and the U.S. Mint found that the coin’s design is consistent with federal law. Scott Bessent has also pointed to the 1926 Sesquicentennial half dollar featuring then-President Calvin Coolidge, which was issued while Coolidge was still in office, as historical precedent for depicting a living president on a U.S. coin.
The coin is part of a broader effort during Trump’s second term to place his name and likeness on government-issued items. Other efforts have included a commemorative passport featuring his image, and plans for a 24-karat gold coin and a $250 bill.
The Treasury Department also announced in March that Trump’s signature would appear on future U.S. paper currency alongside Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s. Traditionally, U.S. paper money carries the signatures of the treasury secretary and the treasurer, not the president.
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Victoria Vesovski is a Toronto-based staff reporter at Moneywise covering personal finance, lifestyle and trending news. She holds degrees from the University of Toronto and New York University, and her work has appeared on platforms including Yahoo Finance, MSN Money and Apple News.
