The U.S. Mint has released a special-edition Trump $1 coin tied to America’s 250th anniversary.
Why it matters: The coin puts a sitting president on U.S. currency in an unusual break with modern precedent. It is likely to draw scrutiny over symbolism, political messaging and how the government brands the semiquincentennial.
- The Mint began selling the $1 coin on Sept. 2, 2026, with rolls and bags available at noon EDT.
- Treasury says the coin is authorized under 31 U.S.C. § 5112(y)(1)(C) and the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020.
- The design includes Trump’s portrait plus the inscriptions “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “1776 ~ 2026.”
- Reuters says the coin is the first circulating U.S. coin to feature a living president in a century.
The U.S. Mint has released a special-edition $1 coin featuring President Donald Trump as part of the nation’s semiquincentennial coin program, tying the issue to the United States’ 250th anniversary. The Mint says the coin was authorized under 31 U.S.C. § 5112(y)(1)(C) and the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020, which allow a new $1 coin for one year beginning Jan. 1, 2026.
The Mint’s campaign page shows Trump’s portrait alongside the inscriptions “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “1776 ~ 2026.” It also says the design by Chief Engraver Joseph Menna was inspired by an official White House photo taken by Daniel Torok.
The release has drawn attention because living presidents rarely appear on U.S. currency. Reuters reported the coin features Trump on the obverse and is the first circulating coin to feature a living U.S. president in a century. BBC’s framing points to a 1926 commemorative half-dollar featuring President Calvin Coolidge as the closest historical precedent.
AP reported the Trump $1 coin went on sale Wednesday and is being marketed as a celebration of America’s 250th birthday. The Mint said some special-issue coins were randomly hidden among rolls and bags, adding a collectible element to the launch.
The coin also fits into a broader Treasury message. In March 2026, Treasury said Trump’s signature would appear on future U.S. paper currency, calling it a first for a sitting president. The Mint says rolls and bags were available Sept. 2, 2026, at noon EDT.
By the numbers
- 1 - Denomination of the Trump semiquincentennial coin
- 2026 - Year the Mint ties the coin to the United States' 250th anniversary
- 100 years - Reuters' description of the gap since a living president last appeared on a circulating U.S. coin
Yes, but: The Mint describes this as a semiquincentennial, one-year collectible coin program, not a routine redesign of U.S. currency.
What's next: The Mint said rolls and bags were available Sept. 2, 2026, at noon EDT; Treasury has also said Trump’s signature will appear on future paper currency.