Trump-Appointed Commission Greenlights Gold Coin with President's Image
In a controversial move, a federal arts commission has given its final approval for a 24-karat gold commemorative coin bearing the image of President Donald Trump, intended to celebrate the United States' 250th birthday on July 4, 2026. The vote by the US Commission of Fine Arts, whose members are supporters of the Republican president and were appointed by him earlier this year, proceeded without any objections, paving the way for the US Mint to begin production.
Legal and Design Details of the Commemorative Coin
Federal law explicitly prohibits living presidents from appearing on US currency, but Megan Sullivan, the acting chief of the office of design management at the Mint, clarified that the treasury secretary holds the authority to authorize the minting and issuance of certain coins. She presented the coin's final design at the commission's March meeting, noting that Trump had personally approved it. "It is my understanding that the secretary of the treasury presented this design, as well as others, to the president and these were his selection," Sullivan stated.
The front of the coin features a stern-faced Trump in a suit and tie, with his fists resting on what appears to be a desk as he leans forward. Lettering on the top half spells "Liberty" in a slight arc, directly above the dates "1776" and "2026". At the bottom, the words "In God We Trust" are flanked by seven stars on one side and six on the other. The reverse side depicts a bald eagle in mid-flight, with "United States of America" on the right and "E Pluribus Unum" on the left.
Commissioners Advocate for Larger Coin Size
Commissioner Chamberlain Harris, a top White House aide to Trump, praised the design, saying, "I know it's a very strong and a very tough image of him, and I think it's fitting to have a current sitting president who's presiding over the country over the 250th year on a commemorative coin for said year." The coin will be part of a "very limited production run," though the exact number, size, and denomination have not yet been determined.
Some commissioners, noting Trump's preference for grandeur, advocated for the largest possible coin size. Commissioner James McCrery II, who worked on Trump's design proposal for a 90,000 sq ft ballroom addition to the White House, remarked, "I think the president likes big things." Harris agreed, adding, "I think the larger the better. The largest of that circulation, I think, would be his preference."
Statements and Reactions
In a statement, US Treasurer Brandon Beach expressed enthusiasm for the coin, saying, "As we approach our 250th birthday, we are thrilled to prepare coins that represent the enduring spirit of our country and democracy, and there is no profile more emblematic for the front of such coins than that of our serving president, Donald J Trump." The White House and the Mint did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the approval.
