Treasury Reveals $1 Trump Coin for U.S. 250th Anniversary/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The U.S. Treasury released a draft design for a $1 coin featuring President Donald Trump, marking America’s 250th Independence anniversary in 2026. The proposed coin shows Trump’s profile on one side and a raised clenched fist on the other, sparking legal debate over whether depicting a sitting president violates federal coinage laws. Treasury officials say the final design will be decided after the government shutdown ends.
“Trump 250th Coin Quick Looks”
- Front design: Trump in profile, “Liberty” and “1776–2026” inscribed.
- Reverse: Trump raising a clenched fist beside the U.S. flag.
- Purpose: To commemorate 250 years since the Declaration of Independence.
- Status: Draft only—final design pending Treasury review.
- Controversy: Questions arise over legality of showing a living president.
- Historical context: Echoes the 1976 Bicentennial $1 coin featuring the Liberty Bell.
Treasury Reveals $1 Trump Coin for U.S. 250th Anniversary
Deep Look
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Treasury Department unveiled a draft design on Friday for a $1 commemorative coin featuring President Donald Trump, to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026 — an early glimpse into one of the centerpieces of America’s upcoming Semiquincentennial celebration.
The proposed design shows Trump in profile on the coin’s obverse, framed by the word “LIBERTY” above and “1776–2026” below. The reverse side depicts Trump with a raised clenched fist, accompanied by the words “FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT” — a phrase he shouted shortly after surviving an assassination attempt in 2024. Behind him, a U.S. flag ripples in the background.
The concept was first shared by U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach on X (formerly Twitter) before being published by the Treasury Department.
“This first draft reflects the enduring spirit of our democracy, even in the face of immense obstacles,” a Treasury spokesperson said.
Beach added that additional details would be released after the end of the ongoing government shutdown, which has paused much of the coin design review process.
Legal Questions Stir Immediate Debate
The design quickly sparked debate over its legality, as existing federal statutes appear to restrict depictions of living persons on U.S. coins.
A 2020 congressional law authorizing the 250th-anniversary coin series explicitly states that “no head and shoulders portrait or bust of any person, living or dead, may be included on the reverse of any coin created for the U.S. Semiquincentennial.”
The proposed Trump coin skirts that rule by depicting a full-figure image of the president rather than a bust, a technical distinction that legal experts say could make it compliant.
“The design pushes the boundaries but may not violate the letter of the law,” said constitutional attorney Erin McPherson, who specializes in federal coinage statutes. “It’s clever drafting — the Treasury appears to have found a gray area.”
There is also an 1866 law barring portraits of living persons on U.S. paper currency, though that restriction does not apply to coins, which are governed by a different set of regulations under the U.S. Mint Act of 1792.
Congress has occasionally bent tradition before. In 1976, for example, the Treasury’s bicentennial design competition produced a Liberty Bell-and-moon motif for the $1 coin’s reverse — while the obverse featured Dwight D. Eisenhower, who had died several years earlier.
Political and Cultural Symbolism
The image of Trump with his raised fist carries deep political symbolism, referencing his defiant gesture at rallies and during the aftermath of his 2024 assassination attempt. Supporters hailed the inclusion as a symbol of resilience, while critics accused the administration of politicizing a national celebration.
“The $1 Trump coin isn’t just currency — it’s political iconography,” said historian Matthew Pohl, author of Symbols of the Republic. “It merges Trump’s personal brand with national identity in a way we haven’t seen since Andrew Jackson’s populist era.”
While the Treasury insists the coin series is meant to honor America’s founding, the design’s unveiling on Trump’s social media platform Truth Social further blurred lines between state commemoration and campaign messaging.
Treasury’s Statement and Next Steps
Treasury officials clarified that the design remains a draft and has not yet received formal approval. The U.S. Mint, which will produce the coins, is expected to present multiple alternatives for public feedback in early 2026.
“No final $1 coin design has been selected,” Treasury said. “The Semiquincentennial series will include multiple designs representing liberty, democracy, and perseverance.”
The Semiquincentennial Coin Act, passed in 2020, authorizes a special $1 coin for 2026 “with designs emblematic of the United States’ 250th anniversary.”
Asked Friday whether President Trump had personally reviewed the draft:
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt replied, “I’m not sure if he’s seen it, but I’m sure he’ll love it.”
Historical Precedent
The last time the U.S. issued a major commemorative $1 coin for a national milestone was in 1976, when the Treasury sponsored a public design competition. The winning design by college student Dennis R. Williams featured the Liberty Bell superimposed over the moon — symbolizing both American independence and exploration.
That coin’s obverse featured President Eisenhower, making him the first U.S. president to appear on a $1 coin since 1891.
If approved, Trump would become the first living U.S. president ever depicted on a coin, setting a new historical precedent — and likely reigniting debate over the intersection of politics and national symbolism.
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