A New $1 Coin with President Trump: What Kids (and Everyone) Should Know

What Happened?

On Wednesday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent showed a pretend picture (called a "rendering") of a brand-new $1 coin that has President Donald Trump on it.

• The U.S. Mint (the government place that makes coins) will start making this coin.
• It is made to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States signing the Declaration of Independence (the paper that said America was free).
• Bessent wrote online: "As America commemorates 250 years of independence, the U.S. Mint will begin striking this new $1 gold coin to honor the enduring legacy of liberty and a lasting symbol of patriotism. Featuring President Trump, it celebrates the strength of American values, and the promise of a nation dedicated to preserving freedom for all."

Important Point: The coin is not real gold. It just has a gold-like color/shiny finish. A Treasury spokesperson said the coins will be available in the fall.

When Did a Living President Appear on a Coin Before?

Usually, the U.S. does not put a president who is still alive on coins. But there is one time it happened:

• The last (and only) time a living president was on a coin made by the U.S. Mint was 100 years ago.
• It was for the U.S. Sesquicentennial (that’s a fancy word for the 150th birthday of the U.S.).
• That coin was a half-dollar. It showed President Calvin Coolidge (the president then) as a shadow behind a statue-like head of President George Washington.
• The Mint made 1 million of those coins. But 860,000 came back because people didn’t want them, and they were melted (turned back into metal).

Why Is This Trump Coin Allowed?

The Trump team says a law called the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020 lets the Treasury Secretary make special coins for America’s 250th birthday (called the Semiquincentennial).

• Normally, living presidents can’t be on U.S. money.
• The 2020 law says no person can be on the "tail side" (the back) of a coin, but it does not say they can’t be on the "face side" (the front).
• So they say putting Trump on the front is OK.

Who Is Supposed to Say Yes to the Design?

Federal law says coin designs must be picked by the Treasury Secretary after:

1. Talking with the Commission of Fine Arts (a group that advises on art). They suggested the design in January.
2. Review by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) — an 11-person group created by Congress in 2003 to advise on coin designs.

Important Point: The Treasury Department seems to have skipped the CCAC review. This makes some people question if the coin is legal.

What Did the Committee Members Say?

Two CCAC members talked to ABC News on Wednesday:

• Donald Scarinci (a coin expert and Democrat on the committee for 20+ years) said: "We’ve never seen any design with the portrait of Donald Trump on it."
• He said a planned December meeting didn’t happen because they couldn’t get enough members to show up on short notice (that’s called a "quorum").
• Kellen Hoard (a coin collector on the committee) said at the February meeting that the board never got to give opinions on this coin or on the 250th birthday quarters either.
• Hoard asked the Mint’s lawyer: "Is it legal now for the Mint to move forward with creating the Semiquincentennial $1 coin despite me never having the opportunity to review the piece?"
• The Mint’s acting Chief Counsel, Greg Weinman, said he disagreed. He said the Mint tried hard to get CCAC to review it, but CCAC chose not to. He said at least the CCAC chair had a full chance to review.

Scarinci said: "The concept that the secretary of the Treasury can create his own coin — it’s illegal." He added Congress could take the coins away, and this is not a Democrat vs. Republican problem.

What Did the Art Commission Say?

At a January meeting, the U.S. Mint’s design boss Megan Sullivan told the Commission of Fine Arts the coin is legal.

• She said both the Mint and Treasury legal teams checked and found no law broken.
• The law they used is the one authorizing coins for the Sesquicentennial (note: she said Sesquicentennial, but the celebration is the 250th/Semiquincentennial).

Other Trump Money News

The Treasury is also putting Trump on other money:

• Paper bills printed this year will have Trump’s signature above Bessent’s — a first for a president. Bessent said those go out in the fall too.
• In May, officials pushed to design a $250 bill with Trump’s face and signature, if Congress allows it.
• That bill has been stuck in a House committee for over a year (meaning it hasn’t moved forward).

Summary

A new $1 coin with President Trump on the front will be made for America’s 250th birthday. It looks gold but isn’t real gold and comes this fall. While a 2020 law may allow it, the usual advisory committee didn’t review it, raising legal questions. This is the first time a living president has been on a U.S. coin in 100 years. Trump’s name is also going on paper money and may be on a new $250 bill later.

FAQ

Q: Is the new $1 coin made of real gold?
A: No. It has a gold-like finish but is not real gold.

Q: Can a living president normally be on U.S. coins?
A: No, not usually. The only other time was 100 years ago with President Coolidge on a half-dollar.

Q: Why do some people think the coin is illegal?
A: Because a committee that is supposed to review coin designs (the CCAC) says they never got to see or approve it.

Q: When can I get one of these coins?
A: The Treasury says they will be available in the fall.

Q: What other Trump money is coming?
A: Paper bills with his signature this fall, and maybe a $250 bill later if Congress says yes.