Trump $1 coin makes him first living president on US currency in a century

Donald Trump's likeness has been featured on a United States $1 coin to commemorate America's 250th anniversary. The US Mint introduced these coins on Wednesday, with Trump's portrait accompanied by the inscriptions "LIBERTY" and "IN GOD WE TRUST". Despite federal law prohibiting a living president's appearance on U.S. currency, a legislative design clause was utilized to circumvent the restriction.

These coins, priced at $61 per roll of 25 and $154.50 for a bag of 100, were "not currently in stock" on the mint's website shortly after their release. They were also available in vending machines at the US Mint store in Washington D.C. The coin, described as "created to celebrate this historic national milestone" and featuring a "once-in-a-generation anniversary design," was destined to become a distinguished addition to modern collections, according to the US Mint.

Despite their golden appearance, the coins do not contain any actual gold. Instead, they are composed of 88.5% copper and the remaining percentage made up of zinc, manganese, and nickel. In May, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced plans for the issuance of a new $250 bill bearing a portrait of President Trump. Notably, a half-dollar issued to celebrate America's 150th anniversary in 1926 featured then-President Calvin Coolidge, marking another living U.S. president's appearance on the country's currency.

In March, the Treasury disclosed plans for Trump's signature to soon grace U.S. paper money, further establishing him as the first living president on U.S. currency.