The US Treasury is contemplating the creation of a unique $1 Donald Trump coin to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. This decision has sparked controversy, with many questioning its legality.
As the nation gears up to celebrate its 250th Independence Day on July 4 next year, extensive plans are underway for the occasion. While specific regional plans will be disclosed closer to the date, the US Treasury has already hinted at a special tribute to the current President.
On October 3, Treasurer Brandon Beach revealed initial designs of the proposed coin on X, previously known as Twitter.
The treasurer stated: “No fake news here. These first drafts honoring America’s 250th Birthday and @POTUS are real.”
“Looking forward to sharing more soon, once the obstructionist shutdown of the United States government is over.”
The draft design of the coin portrays Trump on both sides. The ‘heads’ side features a side profile of the Republican president. However, the ‘tails’ side is potentially more captivating. It depicts Trump with his fist raised, the US flag in the background, and the phrase ‘Fight, Fight, Fight’ inscribed above.
This design alludes to a memorable moment when Trump, during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, gestured with his fist and mouthed those words to the crowd last year. This was the same event where he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt.
In July 2024, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks fired shots from a rooftop near Trump’s open-air campaign event, with one bullet grazing the president’s ear.
After the shots were fired, Secret Service agents quickly protected the president, leading him off stage to treat his minor injuries.
While there are intentions to immortalize this significant event on the anniversary coin, the initial draft has prompted legal scrutiny. US law mandates that ‘only the portrait of a deceased individual may appear on United States currency and securities’. Particularly, a president can only be depicted on a $1 coin two years posthumously.
“It’s completely ILLEGAL,” a critic commented on X. “Only images of deceased individuals are allowed on currency: 31 U.S. Code § 5114.”
Another user remarked: “RE: Trump On A US Coin? Wait! Whoa! Hang on there, Sparky! THAT IS ILLEGAL!”
However, special commemorative coins, minted in limited numbers, follow different rules. Living individuals have appeared on these coins in the past. For example, a gold coin of Nancy Reagan was issued in 2016, a month before her passing.
Historically, a living president has also featured on a coin marking the US independence anniversary. President Calvin Coolidge was depicted on a coin in 1926, seven years before his death.
This suggests that the proposed Trump coin aligns with these precedents.
The Treasury has been approached for further comment regarding the matter.