Trump's 250th US Independence Coin Sparks Debate Over Living POTUS on Currency
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President Donald Trump will feature on a gold coin to commemorate the nation's 250th anniversary. The commemorative gold coin bearing Trump's image has been approved by a federal arts commission.
Even though questions persist over the legality of the move, the US Commission of Fine Arts voted unanimously to approve the design after a presentation by the US Mint.
The 24-karat gold coin, which will mark America's 250th birthday this July 4, portrays Trump with his fists pressed against a desk.
US Treasurer Brandon Beach said, 'As we approach our 250th birthday, we are thrilled to prepare coins that represent the enduring spirit of our country and democracy, and there is no profile more emblematic for the front of such coins than that of our serving President, Donald J. Trump.'
This will be only the second time a living president has featured on a coin. Earlier, Calvin Coolidge, the 30th US President, had featured on a commemorative coin alongside George Washington that were minted in 1926 to celebrate 150 years of the US Independence.
Federal law says that a living president cannot appear on US currency. However, the coin is being issued in accordance with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's authority and discretion to mint and issue proof gold coins.
Democrats have termed the proposed gold coin embarrassing and against the nation's values. 'Monarchs and dictators put their faces on coins, not leaders of a democracy,' Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) was quoted as saying.
