US Mint releases $1 coin featuring Trump to commemorate the 250th anniversary; are they legal? Here's what the law says

The United States Mint has recently released US$1 coins featuring the likeness of President Donald Trump, despite federal law expressly prohibiting the depiction of living presidents on currency. The coins were produced to commemorate the United States' 250th anniversary of independence, which is being observed this year. A roll of 25 of these $1 coins is priced at $61, representing a 144% markup, while a 100-coin bag costs $154.50.

Initially, it was unclear whether the coins would possess monetary value or serve as purely commemorative items. However, the US Mint confirmed that the coins are also intended for circulation.

This decision by the Trump administration diverges from established precedent and legal constraints, as the law stipulates that no living president may be featured on US currency. Trump has persistently challenged this norm throughout his second term, notably by commissioning a new $250 bill bearing his image, which necessitates congressional amendments to the current law.

Furthermore, in March, the Treasury announced that US paper currency would soon display the president's signature, marking another first for a serving US president.

The obverse of the new coin showcases Trump's face along with the inscriptions "Liberty" and "In God We Trust," while the reverse side displays a modified version of the US presidential seal. This seal portrays an eagle brandishing arrows and an olive branch, encased within a shield that reads "250." This development is part of an ongoing campaign by Trump to inscribe his face and name onto various US institutions and currency, demonstrating his determination to leave an indelible mark on national institutions.