A centuries-old U.S. law forbids the image of any living person from appearing on the nation’s currency. Yet in a bold and unprecedented move, the Treasury Department is reportedly preparing to mint a commemorative $1 coin featuring President Donald Trump.
It would mark the first time in American history that a sitting president’s likeness appears on U.S. money, testing the boundaries of a rule meant to separate leadership from legacy.
Download the SAN app today to stay up-to-date with Unbiased. Straight Facts™.
Point phone camera here
On Friday, U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach confirmed the news and posted preliminary designs of the coin on X. He said he looks forward to releasing more information once the federal government shutdown ends.
The front of the planned coin bears the years “1776–2026” and the phrase “In God We Trust,” framing Trump’s profile.
On the reverse, it depicts Trump moments after he survived an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, in 2024. He is shown raising his fist with an American flag billowing behind him. The words “Fight, Fight, Fight” arc across the top, above the inscription “United States of America.”
The plan traces back to Trump’s first term, when Congress passed a 2020 bill authorizing the minting of $1 coins in 2026 to commemorate the U.S. semiquincentennial — the nation’s 250th anniversary.
In a post on X, the Treasury Department said Secretary Scott Bessent is eager to exercise his authority under that law to issue coinage “with designs emblematic of the United States” and its 250th anniversary. The post added that Trump serves as the “perfect muse” for the commemorative design.
1866 law
While the Trump coin would be the first to honor a sitting president, it would not be the first to feature a living former president. The Presidential $1 Coin Program, which ran from 2007 to 2016, and again in 2020, honored every American president in the order in which they served, from George Washington to George H. W. Bush. Jimmy Carter was the only other living former president featured in the series.
So what exactly is the 1866 law, and how does it shape what can be minted today?
When Congress enacted a law forbidding the use of any living person’s image on U.S. currency, the intent was to prevent political figures from using money to elevate their own power or legacy while still in office — a safeguard rooted in the nation’s democratic ideals.
Still, the Treasury Department holds the authority to issue commemorative or collectible coins for national milestones. That practice has a long tradition in American history, from honoring the Constitution to marking U.S.-hosted Olympic Games.
Congress authorizes coins to honor American figures, places, events and institutions. While these coins are legal tender, they aren’t made for general circulation. Each design is produced in limited quantities and available for a limited time, making them collectible items rather than everyday currency.
Coins help serve philanthropy
Commemorative coins also serve a philanthropic purpose. Part of the purchase price goes to organizations and projects that benefit the community. For example, surcharges from coins celebrating the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center helped fund the construction of a new visitor center on the Capitol’s East Plaza.
Since the modern program began in 1982, the Mint has raised more than $500 million for projects ranging from preserving George Washington’s home to maintaining national monuments, such as the Vietnam War Memorial and supporting Olympic programs.
Recent programs highlight both history and innovation. The 2025 Marine Corps 250th Anniversary coins, for instance, celebrate tradition with designs featuring the Corps’ Eagle, Globe and Anchor emblem. In the 21st century, the Mint introduced curved coins for the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014 and colorized designs for the Basketball Hall of Fame and the Purple Heart Hall of Honor in 2022.
