Donald Trump has become the first living US president to appear on American currency in a century, following the launch of a new $1 coin.
The US Mint released the coin on Wednesday to celebrate America’s upcoming 250th anniversary. It features Trump’s portrait alongside the traditional words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST”. While federal law strictly bans living presidents from appearing on money, the Mint used a special design clause in the anniversary legislation to legally bypass the rule.
The coins are not meant for everyday spending, though they remain official legal tender. Instead, they are sold strictly as collectibles. A roll of 25 coins costs $61, and a bag of 100 costs $154.50. Despite their shiny golden color, they contain no actual gold. They are made of a mix of copper, zinc, manganese, and nickel. Within hours of going on sale, the Mint’s website listed them as completely sold out.
The US Mint stated the coin was “created to celebrate this historic national milestone” with a “once-in-a-generation anniversary design destined to become a standout addition to modern collections.”
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This move is part of a wider push to put the president’s personal mark on national symbols. In March, the Treasury announced that US paper money would soon bear Trump’s signature, another first for a sitting president. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also noted in May that the department was planning a new $250 bill with Trump’s portrait. He pointed out that Calvin Coolidge appeared on a commemorative half-dollar back in 1926, making this a rare historical exception.
For now, the coins are sitting in special vending machines at the US Mint store in Washington DC and in the hands of eager collectors. Whether viewed as a historic tribute or a bold political statement, the president’s face is now officially a part of the nation’s history, turning a current political era into permanent pocket change.
Promise Idoko is Junior Reporter working with moderncrux He covers global politics and international affairs. Based in Nigeria,
