Officials announced the approval of a Trump-featured gold coin, which will not circulate as currency and is part of a collector series.
A federal arts commission, whose members were appointed by Donald Trump, unanimously approved the design of a 24-karat gold commemorative coin bearing his image. The coin is intended to mark the United States' 250th anniversary and will not circulate as currency.
The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, with all six members replaced by Trump appointees last October, made the decision on Thursday. Trump's Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is expected to order the minting of the coin, which will likely be part of a limited collector series.
Additional Coins Planned
Plans include two other coins featuring Trump's image: a $1 coin that would enter circulation and a one-ounce gold coin. These designs aim to commemorate the milestone anniversary, though specific details on release dates remain undisclosed.
Since returning to power in January 2025, Trump has pursued initiatives to imprint his legacy, such as renaming the Kennedy Center after himself and approving a new ballroom at the White House. The gold coin proposal faced rejection from a separate bipartisan federal panel last month.
Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley criticized the decision, stating that only 'monarchs and dictators put their faces on coins, not leaders of a democracy.' This reflects ongoing political debates over the use of presidential imagery on official items.
The commemorative coin is expected to appeal to collectors, with officials noting it as part of a series. Image rights and production details were handled by the U.S. Mint, as per the approval process.
Critics, including advisory officials, have voiced concerns about the precedent, linking it to broader efforts by the administration to personalize national symbols. The move highlights tensions between political appointments and traditional norms in U.S. commemorative practices.
