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The U.S. Mint will begin producing a new $1 commemorative coin featuring President Donald Trump later this year, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced Wednesday, marking the latest effort by the administration to commemorate the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary with Trump at its center.
Bessent said in a post on X that the coin is intended to recognize the United States’ semiquincentennial and celebrate what he described as the nation’s enduring commitment to liberty and patriotism.
“Featuring President Trump, it celebrates the strength of American values, and the promise of a nation dedicated to preserving freedom for all,” Bessent wrote.
A Treasury Department spokesperson confirmed the coin is already in production and is expected to be released this fall. Although it will have a gold-colored finish, the spokesperson said it is composed of non-precious metals rather than solid gold.
The announcement expands the Trump administration’s broader campaign to shape federal symbols and commemorations tied to America’s 250th birthday in 2026.
Federal law generally prohibits living individuals from appearing on U.S. currency, requiring that only deceased people be depicted on paper money and other government-issued currency.
“Only the portrait of a deceased individual may appear on United States currency and securities,” the U.S. Code states. “The name of the individual shall be inscribed below the portrait.”
Treasury officials, however, argue that the commemorative coin is authorized under separate legislation enacted in 2020. That law allows the Treasury Department to issue special $1 coins with designs “emblematic of the United States Semiquincentennial” during 2026.
The administration has maintained that the statute gives Treasury authority to feature Trump on the commemorative coin despite the longstanding restrictions governing traditional U.S. currency.
The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee, a bipartisan panel established to review coin designs, previously considered proposals related to the semiquincentennial program. Under federal law, the committee reviews and provides recommendations on commemorative coin designs before production.
The new coin follows another proposal floated by the administration earlier this year involving a $250 bill bearing Trump’s image.
In May, Bessent said the Treasury Department was exploring the concept but acknowledged that placing a living person on U.S. paper currency would require Congress to amend existing federal law.
At the time, Treasury officials noted that all U.S. currency must continue to include the inscription “In God We Trust,” regardless of any future design changes.
The commemorative coin is expected to become available through the U.S. Mint this fall as part of the federal government’s broader semiquincentennial observance.
