The United States Mint on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, released $1 coins featuring the likeness of President Donald Trump to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary. While the Mint stated the coins will be released into circulation, they are also available for purchase in rolls and bags through the agency's online catalog.
The release follows a legal determination regarding a federal law that generally prohibits living individuals from being depicted on U.S. currency. The Trump administration cited the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020, signed during the president's first term, as providing the legal authority for the design. Officials also pointed to historical precedent, such as a 150th anniversary coin featuring then-President Calvin Coolidge, as evidence that the administration does not need congressional approval for the issuance.
Designed by U.S. Mint Chief Engraver Joseph Menna and inspired by a photograph by Daniel Torok, the obverse side of the coin features a portrait of the president with the inscriptions "Liberty," "In God We Trust," and "1776 ~ 2026." The reverse side displays the Presidential Seal—an eagle with a shield, olive branch, and arrows—along with the number "250." The coins have a gold-colored finish but are composed of a non-precious metal alloy of copper, zinc, manganese, and nickel.
The release marks a departure from the practice of only featuring deceased figures on American currency. The Mint randomly included 250,000 special-issue coins marked with a "July 4th" privy mark within the bags and rolls for sale. For a household or individual purchaser, the coins carry a premium over their face value: a 25-coin roll is priced at $61 (approximately $2.44 per coin), while a 100-coin bag costs $154.50 (approximately $1.55 per coin).
Despite their "golden" appearance, the coins contain no actual gold and have the same dimensions as other modern $1 coins, weighing 8.1 grams. While they are legal tender, the U.S. Mint has marketed them as a "once-in-a-generation" collectible. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated the coin celebrates American values and the promise of freedom.
The issuance is part of a broader series of 2026 commemorative items, including "Revolutionary War Quarters" and "Enduring Liberty Half Dollars." The Trump administration is also involved in other projects to include the president's name or likeness on federal property, such as a plan to add an inscription to the Kennedy Center following a court ruling that only Congress could change that institution's official name. The $1 Trump coins became available for sale starting at noon ET on Wednesday.