The United States Federal Arts Committee approved this Thursday the design of the commemorative coin for the 250 years of independence with the image of the president, Donald Trump.
The proposal contemplates a 24 karat gold coin which depicts Trump resting his fists on a desk, based on a photograph taken by his team in 2025 and displayed at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington.
Although it was approved, Democrats and another committee had previously questioned the legality of the design.
Members of the federal arts committee, all appointed by Trump, voted without objection, clearing the way for the Mint to begin production of the coin, although its denomination and size remain under discussion.
On top of the approved design, the word “LIBERTY” forms a slight arc. Just below are the dates 1776-2026. At the bottom, the phrase “IN GOD WE TRUST” appears, with seven stars on one side and six on the other.
The controversy over the currency responds to the fact that Federal law prohibits a sitting president from appearing on U.S. banknotes.
After the vote, Treasurer Brandon Beach said: “As we approach our 250th anniversary, we are excited to prepare coins that represent the enduring spirit of our country and our democracy, and there is no more iconic profile for the obverse of these coins than that of our sitting president, Donald J. Trump.”
The only recorded case was in 1926, when then-president Calvin Coolidge, for the 150th anniversary of the United States, placed his face on a one-dollar coin.
