President Donald Trump's face is turning up on more and more official US memorabilia. After proposals for new passports, commemorative currency and national park passes, the Trump administrat
President Donald Trump's face is turning up on more and more official US memorabilia.
After proposals for new passports, commemorative currency and national park passes, the Trump administration has now unveiled a new 24-karat US gold coin bearing the president's likeness.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on July 15 revealed the first official images of the collector coin. He said the US Mint will begin striking the $1 gold coin as part of the country's 250th anniversary celebrations.
"As America commemorates 250 years of independence, the @usmint will begin striking this new $1 gold coin to honor the enduring legacy of liberty and a lasting symbol of patriotism," Bessent wrote.
"Featuring President Trump, it celebrates the strength of American values, and the promise of a nation dedicated to preserving freedom for all."
The collector coin, issued as part of the United States' Semiquincentennial celebrations, bears Trump's portrait alongside the inscriptions "In God We Trust" and "Liberty 1776–2026."
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Bessent said the coin commemorates 250 years of American independence and celebrates "American values."
Source: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on XThe announcement follows months of debate over whether Trump's image can legally appear on government-issued currency while he remains in office.
Federal law generally bars living people from appearing on U.S. currency, though the Trump administration has argued the commemorative gold coin falls under separate legislation authorizing special designs for the nation's 250th anniversary.
The gold coin is the latest in a series of Trump-branded government initiatives announced since he returned to the White House in January 2025.
Trump's public brand has also expanded into other types of financial products. Days before returning to the White House, Trump also launched the Official Trump ($TRUMP) memecoin, which briefly reached a market capitalization of about $27 billion before giving up most of its gains.
His family has also backed crypto venture World Liberty Financial, while the administration has embraced digital assets as part of its goal of making the United States the "crypto capital of the planet"
In May, Bessent unveiled a proposed $250 bill featuring Trump's portrait, saying the Treasury had prepared the design should Congress authorize such a denomination.
Illustration of a new $250 bill with the president’s face on it.The proposal drew scrutiny because the Presidential $1 Coin Act and other federal laws generally prohibit living presidents from appearing on circulating U.S. currency.
Earlier, in March, the Commission of Fine Arts, whose members were appointed by Trump, approved the design for the commemorative 24-karat gold coin after reviewing proposals from the U.S. Mint.
Trump's name and likeness have also appeared, or have been proposed to appear, on several government initiatives since he returned to the White House in January 2025, including:
During the March meeting, White House aide Chamberlain Harris said Trump preferred the largest possible version of the coin, remarking, "The larger the better."
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