US Mint to Begin Striking Dollar Coin Featuring Trump Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on July 15, 2026, that the U.S. Mint will begin producing a new $1 commemorative coin featuring President Donald Trump to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The coin, which will have a gold-like finish but not be made of actual gold, is set to be available in the fall. Bessent described the design as a tribute to "the enduring legacy of liberty and a lasting symbol of patriotism," emphasizing its role in celebrating "the strength of American values" and "the promise of a nation dedicated to preserving freedom for all." The decision has raised legal and procedural concerns. The U.S. Mint’s design review process typically involves the Citizens' Coin Committee (CCC), which is tasked with evaluating proposed designs. However, members of the CCC, including numismatist Donald Scarinci and coin collector Kellen Hoard, claimed they were never provided with the Trump coin design for review. Scarinci, a long-time committee member, stated that the Mint made only a few last-minute attempts to present the design in November and December 2025, but the committee never had a formal opportunity to assess it. Hoard, representing the general public on the committee, noted that the CCC was not given a chance to weigh in on the coin’s design or the selection of the Semiquincentennial series of quarters. During a February meeting, Hoard questioned Mint Chief Counsel Greg Weinman about the legality of the coin’s production, asking whether the Mint could proceed without the committee’s review. Weinman responded that the Mint had made efforts to involve the CCC but that the committee had chosen not to review the design.#donald_trump #scott_bessent #us_mint #treasury_secretary #citizens_coin_committee
US Mint to Begin Producing $1 Coins Featuring Trump The U.S. Mint announced on Wednesday that it will start producing one-dollar coins featuring a portrait of former President Donald Trump, marking the first time a living individual will appear on U.S. currency. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the decision in a social media post, stating the coins are part of a commemorative effort for the nation’s semiquincentennial anniversary, which celebrates 250 years of American independence. The design includes Trump’s portrait on the obverse side, with the reverse side depicting the presidential seal and the number “250” inscribed on the shield. Bessent described the coin as a tribute to “the strength of American values” and the country’s commitment to “preserving freedom for all.” The move has sparked debate over legal precedents, as federal laws typically prohibit living people from appearing on U.S. currency. A 1866 statute explicitly bans living individuals from paper money, though it does not specifically address coinage. Additionally, the 2007 Presidential $1 Coin Program barred living presidents and those who had died within two years from being featured on coins. However, a 2020 bipartisan law authorized the Treasury Secretary to issue dollar coins in 2026 with designs “emblematic of the United States semiquincentennial.” While the law states that no person, living or dead, can be included on the reverse side of the coin, some legal experts argue it may allow for Trump’s portrait to remain on the obverse. The final design represents a significant departure from an earlier draft, which had featured Trump on both sides of the coin.#donald_trump #scott_bessent #us_mint #semiquincentennial_anniversary #treasury_secretary
US Mint Issues Special 1776-2026 Designs for Dime, Quarter, Half Dollar The U.S. Mint is launching a series of commemorative coins to mark the 250th anniversary of the United States. The redesigns, featuring dual dates of 1776-2026, will be available for the dime, quarter, and half dollar. These coins are part of a broader effort to honor America’s history and celebrate its enduring legacy. U.S. Mint Director Paul Hollis emphasized the significance of the redesigns, calling it the most substantial update to U.S. coins in over a century. The changes, which will be available for a limited time, include updated designs that reflect key moments in American history. Hollis expressed hope that the coins would be cherished by Americans and passed down to future generations, serving as a tangible connection to the nation’s story. The “Liberty Dime” will feature a design inspired by the 1790s dime, incorporating imagery of Lady Liberty. For the quarters, five new designs will be released, each representing a pivotal moment in the nation’s founding. These include the Mayflower Compact, the Revolutionary War, the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and a Gettysburg Address quarter that highlights President Abraham Lincoln. The half dollar will showcase a portrait of Lady Liberty, depicted as looking forward to another 250 years of American history. Hollis noted that the coins will carry the dual dates 1776-2026 on their obverse, symbolizing the transition from the nation’s founding to its 250th anniversary. He anticipated that these coins would be preserved by collectors and families, serving as a lasting reminder of the country’s journey. The redesigns aim to blend historical significance with modern commemoration, ensuring that the coins remain relevant and meaningful to the public.#declaration_of_independence #us_mint #paul_hollis #liberty_dime #mayflower_compact
U.S. Mint Produces 296.7M Coins Amid America 250 Rollout The U.S. Mint produced 296.74 million coins in February 2026 as part of the America 250 program, which commemorates the nation’s 250th anniversary. This output marked a decline from January’s record high of 448.5 million coins, which included the first 1776-2026 Semiquincentennial coins. February’s production also fell significantly compared to the same period in 2025, when cent production alone totaled 353 million coins. The February output included nickels, Emerging Liberty dimes, the first two of five quarter designs, and Enduring Liberty half dollars. These coins are part of the America 250 initiative, which features designs celebrating key historical events. The production decline was attributed to the shift in focus from commercial cents to collector products, as the Mint stopped producing cents for circulation in July 2025. Comparisons of February 2026 production with the previous year showed a 48.9% drop from February 2025. The Mint’s data also highlighted adjustments in previous months, including a negative adjustment in May 2025 that inflated coin totals by up to 1.4 million coins. These corrections were applied to ensure accurate reporting. For commonly used coins, February saw a 48.8% decline in nickel production, 24.1% for dimes, and 22.9% for quarters. Half dollars and Native American dollars continued to be produced for collectors, with the Enduring Liberty half dollar replacing the long-running Kennedy design. By February, the combined production of half dollars reached 18.6 million, compared to 34 million in 2025. Native American dollars also saw a shift, with 980,000 coins produced in January and February 2026.#us_mint #america_250_program #denver_mint #philadelphia_mint #semiquincentennial_coins
Trump's 250th Anniversary Coins: 5 Changes to U.S. Currency President Trump is nearing the release of an official coin bearing his likeness, but his influence on U.S. currency extends beyond that single design. Over the past year, the Trump administration has implemented several changes to American coins, many tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary. These adjustments have sparked debate, legal scrutiny, and questions about the boundaries of presidential authority over the U.S. Mint. The most visible change is the approval of a 24-carat gold commemorative coin celebrating the 250th anniversary of American independence. The Commission of Fine Arts, a group entirely composed of Trump appointees, endorsed the design, which features the president in the Oval Office. One side of the coin displays the year 1776, while the other shows 2026. This marks the first time a sitting president’s image appears on a coin during their term, a rarity in U.S. history. Only Calvin Coolidge had a coin minted during his presidency in 1926. Legal experts warn that the gold coin could face challenges. Federal law prohibits the use of living presidents’ portraits on circulating coins, though commemorative coins are an exception. The Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020 and 31 U.S. Code § 5112 restrict the depiction of living individuals on coins, with limited exceptions for collectibles. The Presidential $1 Coin Act of 2005 further limits $1 coins to honoring deceased presidents. Despite these rules, the Trump administration has pushed forward with its designs. Another controversial change involves the $1 coin. In October 2025, the U.S. Treasury released a draft design featuring Trump raising his fist in front of a U.S. flag. The front of the coin shows a traditional portrait of the president.#us_treasury #trump_administration #wall_street_journal #commission_of_fine_arts #us_mint
