July 17, 2026, 12:26 p.m. ET
- The U.S. Treasury has announced a new $1 gold-finished coin featuring President Donald Trump.
- Minting of the coin has already begun, with distribution expected in the fall.
- The coin has sparked controversy as federal law generally prohibits featuring a living person on U.S. currency.
South Carolina is catching the buzz from Washington after the White House and the U.S. Treasury announced news of a $1 gold‑finished coin featuring President Donald Trump.
In a social media post unveiling new photos of the coin, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said it “celebrates the strength of American values, and the promise of a nation dedicated to preserving freedom for all.”
USA TODAY said Bessent shared a picture of the new $1 gold-finished coin that shows a portrait of Trump on the front and the nation’s shield on the back.
The coin is already being minted, even though there is concern that it goes against federal law of showing a living, sitting president on it.
Here’s more on the coin and other currency the Trump administration is pushing.
Is the ‘Trump Coin’ available?
The United States Mint started pressing $1 gold coins on July 15, according to USA TODAY. Distribution is expected to happen in the fall.
US Mint to launch $1 Trump coin
Bessent revealed on July 15 that the United States Mint in Philadelphia has already begun pressing $1coins emblazoned with Trump’s face, according to USA TODAY.
The United States Treasury said the $1 coin does not contain precious metals, but has a “gold-like finish.”
Other proposed Trump currency
USA TODAY reports that the $1 coins are expected to be the first in a string of proposed Trump face-adorned currency planned for release.
The agency has also designed a $250 bill and a 24K gold commemorative coin featuring Trump’s portrait.
Controversy over Donald Trump’s $1 coin
The U.S. Treasury’s $1 coin featuring Trump has sparked controversy, with critics alleging it violates laws prohibiting living figures from being the face on U.S. currency.
Federal laws, specifically 31 U.S. Code § 5114 and 31 U.S. Code § 5112, dictate that only deceased individuals’ portraits may appear on U.S. currency and coins. These regulations prohibit living persons from being pictured on legal tender, according to USA TODAY.
The Trump administration is justifying the design under the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020, allowing the pressing of celebratory 250th anniversary pieces.
Travis Jacque Rose is the trending news reporter for the Greenville News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at trose@gannett.com.
