A federal arts commission has given its final approval for a 24-karat gold commemorative coin bearing the image of President Donald Trump, intended to celebrate America's 250th birthday on July 4, 2026. The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, whose members are supporters of the Republican president and were appointed by him earlier this year, voted without objection on Thursday, clearing the way for the U.S. Mint to begin production.
Design and Legal Considerations
The coin's design, which Trump approved, features a stern-faced image of the president in a suit and tie, with his fists resting on a desk as he leans forward. The top half displays "LIBERTY" in an arc, with the dates 1776-2026 directly below. At the bottom, "IN GOD WE TRUST" is flanked by seven stars on one side and six on the other. The reverse side depicts a bald eagle in midflight, with "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" on the right and "E PLURIBUS UNUM" on the left.
Federal law prohibits living presidents from appearing on U.S. currency, but Megan Sullivan, the acting chief of the Office of Design Management at the Mint, explained that the Treasury secretary has the authority to authorize such coins. She presented the final design at the commission's March meeting, noting that Trump had selected it from options presented by the Treasury secretary.
Commissioners' Perspectives and Production Details
Commissioner Chamberlain Harris, a top White House aide to Trump, praised the design as "very strong and very tough," stating it is fitting for a sitting president to be featured on a coin commemorating the nation's 250th year. The coin will be part of a "very limited production run," though exact numbers, size, and denomination are still undecided.
Some commissioners advocated for a larger coin, citing Trump's preference for big things. Sullivan mentioned that the Mint is considering a size larger than its standard 1-ounce gold coin, which is about 1.3 inches in diameter, potentially up to 3 inches. Commissioner James McCrery II, who worked on Trump's White House ballroom addition, noted, "I think the president likes big things," with Harris agreeing that "the larger the better" would likely be Trump's preference.
The White House and the Mint have not yet responded to requests for comment on the approval and production plans.
