Trump Coins Hit Shelves Amid Legality Questions
The U.S. Mint has started selling $1 coins featuring President Donald Trump's likeness, marking the first time in over a century that a living president will be on currency.
The gold-colored coins are part of the nation's semiquincentennial celebrations and do not contain any precious metal. They feature Trump's portrait on one side along with inscriptions of 'LIBERTY', 'IN GOD WE TRUST', and '1776 ~ 2026'. On the other side is an illustration of the presidential seal and inscriptions of 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA' and 'ONE DOLLAR'. Certain coins will have a commemorative emblem.
The U.S. Mint has produced 250,000 of these coins, which were struck on July 4 in Philadelphia. Some of them have a special 'July 4th' privy mark. Collectors can purchase a 25-coin roll for $61 or a 100-coin bag for $154.50.
The U.S. Mint has acknowledged federal law, which states that only deceased individuals may appear on currency. However, the Treasury claims there is precedent for living presidents' images on coins, citing the Calvin Coolidge coin from the 150th anniversary celebrations.