US arts commission approves gold coin featuring Trump for 250th anniversary

2026-03-20 - 16:49

A federal arts commission has given unanimous approval to a commemorative gold coin featuring President Donald Trump, clearing the way for production ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary celebration on July 4. The design, presented by the US Mint, depicts Trump with his fists pressed against a desk, according to reports from the BBC. The US Commission of Fine Arts voted to approve the design after its presentation. While federal law generally prohibits living presidents from appearing on US currency, the coin is being issued under the authority of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who holds discretionary power to mint proof gold coins. A Rare Distinction for a Sitting President The approval places Trump in rare company. Calvin Coolidge remains the only other US president to have appeared on a coin during his lifetime. The commission's vice chair, James McCrery, encouraged the Mint to maximize the coin's size, suggesting a diameter of up to three inches—significantly larger than a standard quarter dollar, which measures less than one inch. "I motion to approve this as presented, and with the strong encouragement that you make it as large as possible, all the way to three inches in diameter," McCrery was quoted as saying. Political Context and Opposition Trump replaced members of the Commission of Fine Arts last year with his own appointees. Meanwhile, Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres has introduced legislation known as the TRUMP Act—short for The Restrict Ugly Money Portraits Act—which would prevent presidents from issuing currency bearing their own likeness. The bill has not yet passed. Once the US Mint finalizes the coin's dimensions, Treasury Secretary Bessent is expected to order production. The coin will be struck in 24-karat gold, adding to a growing collection of presidential commemoratives issued under Treasury authority.