The U.S. Mint launched a $1 coin featuring a portrait of President Donald Trump alongside the words “Liberty” and “In God We Trust” to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. The Mint said the coins, which are being marketed as collectibles, are not being put into circulation for daily use.
While federal law bans living presidents from appearing on currency, a design provision in legislation for the anniversary was used to make an exception. The U.S. Mint said the coins “capture the spirit, pride, and legacy of a nation approaching its landmark anniversary.”
The coins are priced at $61 for a roll of 25 and $154.50 for a bag of 100. According to BBC, they were listed as “not currently in stock” on the Mint’s website within hours of going on sale, although the Mint said more coins are being produced.
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The coins were also being sold through vending machines at the U.S. Mint store in Washington, D.C. They were “created to celebrate this historic national milestone” with a “once-in-a-generation anniversary design destined to become a standout addition to modern collections,” the U.S. Mint said.
According to the Mint, the coins are 88.5% copper, with the remainder made up of zinc, nickel and a manganese-brass outer layer.
While the coins are not in circulation, they can be used as legal tender to pay debts and taxes. Federal law allows businesses to decide whether to accept them.
The coin marks the first time in a century that a living person has featured on U.S. currency, a move that has drawn significant criticism. Late last year, Democratic Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada and Jeff Merkley of Oregon introduced legislation that would block Trump from having his face featured on the coin. On Wednesday, in a statement to Al Jazeera, Cortez Masto criticized the coin’s release, saying Trump was prioritizing “vanity projects” over more pressing issues facing the country.
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The Trump administration has pointed to a 1926 example, when the U.S. Mint struck a coin featuring side-by-side portraits of George Washington and Calvin Coolidge, who was president at the time.
Since Trump began his second term, his administration has taken steps to put his name or image on various buildings and items, including the Kennedy Center, the U.S. Institute of Peace, National Parks passes, a limited-edition passport and a $1 million “gold card” visa announced last year.
In May, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said his department was planning to issue a new $250 bill bearing a portrait of Trump. Bessent said the Trump administration was seeking congressional approval for the new bill.