Donald Trump’s portrait has made its way on to a US coin – the latest move by the president to put his personal stamp on American institutions.
On Wednesday, the US Mint launched the $1 coin with a portrait of Trump alongside the words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST”, to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.
The Mint said the coins were not being put into circulation, but they may be used as legal tender.
Federal law prohibits a living president from appearing on US currency, but a design clause in legislation for the anniversary was used to overcome the ban.
Coins quickly listed as out of stock
The coins – priced at $61 (£45) for a roll of 25 and $154.50 for a bag of 100 – were “not currently in stock” on the mint’s website within hours of going on sale. They were also being sold in vending machines at the US Mint store in Washington DC.
The BBC has contacted the US Mint, the Treasury and the White House for further details.
The coin has been “created to celebrate this historic national milestone” with a “once-in-a-generation anniversary design destined to become a standout addition to modern collections”, the US Mint said.
While the coins have a golden colour they do not contain any actual gold. According to the US Mint, they are 88.5% copper with the balance being made up of zinc, manganese and nickel.
Coolidge appeared on coin a century ago
In May, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said his department was planning to issue a new $250 bill bearing a portrait of President Trump.
At the time, Bessent highlighted that another living US president has previously appeared on the country’s currency.
A half-dollar that was issued to commemorate America’s 150th anniversary in 1926 featured then-President Calvin Coolidge.
The Trump administration has also cited the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020, from Trump’s first term.
While this statute prohibits portraits of living people on the reverse (tails side) of coins, it does not explicitly cover the obverse (heads side), where Trump’s likeness appears on the new $1 coins.
Trump signature also coming to US banknotes
In March, the Treasury announced that US paper money would soon bear Trump’s signature – another first for a sitting US president.
Source: BBC
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