By Gloria Drealomalicha
The United States Mint has released 250,000 new $1 coins bearing the likeness of President Donald Trump as part of celebrations marking the country’s 250th anniversary.
The coins, released on Wednesday, are legal tender and have entered circulation, meaning Americans could receive them as change when making cash purchases.
According to the US Mint, the obverse of the coin carries a portrait of Trump designed by the Mint’s Chief Engraver, Joseph Menna. The design was inspired by an official White House photograph taken by Daniel Torok.
The reverse features the Presidential Seal, depicting an eagle holding an olive branch and a bundle of arrows, with a shield on its breast and a banner carrying the inscription, “E PLURIBUS UNUM”.
The shield also bears the number “250” to mark the Semiquincentennial, while the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “ONE DOLLAR” appear on the coin.
Although the coins have a gold-like appearance, they are made from non-precious metals and are being produced at the Mint’s Philadelphia facility.
The Mint is selling the coins in rolls of 25 for $61 and bags containing 100 coins for $154.50.
Some of the coins carry a special “July 4th” mark after being struck on 4 July, the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. These special coins were randomly distributed among the rolls and bags sold by the Mint.
Demand for the new coins was reportedly strong enough for the Mint to activate a virtual waiting room on its website on Wednesday, citing “extraordinarily high traffic”.
Customers were initially restricted to two orders per household, although the Mint said the limit would be removed at 2pm Eastern Time on Thursday.
The release has also attracted attention because of the longstanding restrictions surrounding the depiction of living presidents on US currency.
The Mint said the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020, signed by Trump during his first term, included provisions permitting coins commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the coin was intended to celebrate “the strength of American values” and the country’s commitment to preserving freedom.
The Trump administration has also argued that congressional approval was not necessary for the coin, pointing to previous commemorative coins featuring sitting presidents.
The new $1 coin is part of a wider programme of commemorative issues marking the 250th anniversary, including Revolutionary War Quarters, American Eagle Gold Coins and Enduring Liberty Half Dollars.
In June, the Mint also released 250,000 Semiquincentennial 2026 Declaration of Independence Quarters bearing the special “July 4th” mark into circulation.
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