The buzz is all about a potential commemorative $1 coin that could feature none other than President Donald Trump. This special coin would mark America’s 250th birthday in 2026, and early designs have been shared by the US Treasury.
Brandon Beach, the US Treasurer, took to social media to quash any doubts, stating, “No fake news here,” as he confirmed the authenticity of the drafts. He added, “These drafts celebrating America’s 250th Birthday and @POTUS are genuine. I can’t wait to share more once the government is up and running again.”
The design is quite a sight, displaying Trump’s profile on one side, adorned with the word “Liberty” at the top, and “In God we Trust” at the bottom, flanked by the years “1776” and “2026.” On the flip side, a potent image highlights Trump raising his fist following the Butler, Pennsylvania, assassination attempt, accompanied by the phrase “FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT” against a background of waving American flags.
However, there’s a catch. It’s uncertain whether this coin will actually be minted as current US law prohibits the image of a sitting or living former president from appearing on coins. A president can only be featured posthumously, and the law clearly states that no coin can depict either a living president or a deceased one until two years after their death.
The regulations are strict: “No coin issued can bear the image of a living or current president, nor any deceased former president within two years of their passing,” according to the legal code.
In preparation for the big 250th celebration, Congress introduced the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act. This allows the US Treasury to produce special $1 coins celebrating the event, stating that they can “mint during the one-year period beginning January 1, 2026, $1 coins with designs emblematic of the United States semiquincentennial.”
Notably, the law also stipulates that “no head and shoulders portrait, bust, or image of a living person shall be included in certain coin designs.” While the front features Trump’s profile, the reverse contains an image from the Butler incident, walking a fine line around these legal restrictions.
While the Treasury assures that these drafts featuring Trump’s image are authentic, a final design decision still remains. A spokesperson stated, “We’re excited about sharing more soon but haven’t finalized the design for the $1 coin celebrating the United States’ semiquincentennial yet.”
During a recent press briefing, the White House Press Secretary was questioned whether Trump has had a chance to check out the coin’s draft art. To which he replied, “I can’t say if he’s seen it yet, but I’m sure he’ll be thrilled.”
Interestingly, the only president to have been depicted on currency during their lifetime was Calvin Coolidge, back in 1926. You can find further details online about this kind of collectible.
