Full Breakdown
U.S. Mint Releases $1 Coin Featuring President Donald Trump
9/3/2026, 12:06:44 AM
Launch of the Trump-Portrait Dollar Coin
On September 2, 2026, the United States Mint began selling a gold-colored $1 coin that bears President Donald J. Trump’s likeness on the obverse. The coin, struck at the Philadelphia Mint, entered circulation and was offered for purchase online at noon Eastern Time. Pricing is set at $61 for a roll of 25 coins and $154.50 for a bag of 100, representing a markup of more than 50 % above face value. The Mint also randomly inserted 250,000 coins with a “July 4” privy mark into the bags and rolls.
Background and Legislative Basis
The coin commemorates the nation’s semiquincentennial—the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
The law bars living persons from appearing on the reverse of such coins but does not expressly prohibit a portrait on the obverse, a point the Mint cites as legal compliance.
Physical Characteristics and Pricing
- Composition: 88.5 % copper, 6 % zinc, 3.5 % manganese, 2 % nickel; no actual gold.
- Obverse: Trump’s portrait, the word “LIBERTY,” and the dates “1776 ~ 2026.”
- Reverse: The presidential seal with an eagle, olive branch, arrows, and the numeral “250.”
The Mint markets the coin as both legal tender and a collectible item, noting that while it can be used for everyday purchases, its primary appeal is as a commemorative piece.
Official Statements & Responses
- He also indicated that the Treasury is pursuing a separate $250 banknote featuring Trump’s image, pending congressional approval.
Criticism & Opposition
Cortez Masto’s statement is captured in the quote bank as “While monarchs put their faces on coins, America has never had and never will have a king,” — Cortez Masto. The senators contend that the tradition of featuring only deceased individuals on U.S. currency should be codified without delay.
What’s Next
The Treasury’s pursuit of a $250 banknote bearing Trump’s face remains pending congressional approval. Additionally, the Mint’s rollout of other semiquincentennial designs—including new quarters, a nickel, and a dime—continues throughout 2026, with the Trump $1 coin slated to enter general circulation later in the fall.
