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U.S. Mint Starts Selling Trump $1 Coins Amid Legal Warnings

9/3/2026

12 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. Mint began selling $1 coins that feature President Donald Trump’s portrait.
A roll of 25 coins sells for $61.
A bag of 100 coins costs $154.50.
The coins are copper-based, containing 6% zinc, 3.5% manganese, and 2% nickel, with no gold.
Lawmakers warned the coin may violate the 1866 rule barring living persons on currency.

History

Historical Context

The post-Civil War era saw Congress tighten federal control of money, beginning with the 1857 Coinage Act that ended foreign coins as legal tender. The 1864 act added “In God We Trust” and the 1865 legislation imposed a 10 % tax on state-bank notes, effectively eliminating private currency. These precedents shape today’s dispute over a Trump-portrait $1 coin.

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Story summary

The U.S. Mint began selling $1 coins that feature President Donald Trump’s portrait.
A roll of 25 coins sells for $61.
A bag of 100 coins costs $154.50.
The coins are copper-based, containing 6% zinc, 3.5% manganese, and 2% nickel, with no gold.
Lawmakers warned the coin may violate the 1866 rule barring living persons on currency.

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