WASHINGTON: The United States has begun releasing a new $1 coin featuring President Donald Trump, reviving debate over the country’s longstanding practice of keeping living presidents off its currency.
Trump’s portrait dominates the front of the newly issued coin, which has been produced as part of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of American independence. Although the coin has a gold-like appearance, it is not made of gold and instead uses a combination of metals including zinc, manganese, nickel and copper.
The US Mint is selling rolls containing 25 coins for $61, while bags of 100 coins are priced at $154.50. The coins are also legal tender and some have entered general circulation.
The release has attracted legal and historical scrutiny because US law has traditionally prohibited the likenesses of living people from appearing on US currency. The restriction dates back to the early history of the republic, when George Washington reportedly rejected the idea of having his portrait placed on US money, saying it could resemble the practices of a monarchy.
However, the Trump administration argues that legislation passed in 2020 allows the Treasury Department to issue special coins connected to the 250th anniversary of American independence. Officials have also pointed to the wording of the law, which restricts the appearance of individuals on the reverse side of such coins but does not impose the same restriction on the obverse.
The US Mint said 250,000 of the Trump coins carry a special July 4 marking after being struck at the Philadelphia Mint on Independence Day.
The design has also drawn criticism over the process used to approve it. Members of the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee questioned why the bipartisan panel was not given an opportunity to formally review the design.
Treasury officials have rejected the criticism, saying the committee was offered opportunities to review proposed designs and that the Treasury secretary retains final authority over the design.
The United States previously featured a living president on a coin in 1926, when President Calvin Coolidge appeared on a commemorative half-dollar marking the 150th anniversary of American independence.
