A set of early draft designs for a commemorative $1 coin has stirred debate in Washington. The coin, prepared by the United States Mint for America’s 250th Independence anniversary in 2026, shows former President Donald Trump’s portrait — something federal law may not allow.
Images of the proposed coin designs were sha
red online this week and later confirmed by the US Treasury.
US Treasurer Brandon Beach wrote on X, “No fake news here. These first drafts honouring 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 drafts reveal Trump’s profile on the coin’s front, with the word “Liberty” placed above, “In God We Trust” below, and the dates “1776″ and “2026″ flanking the sides. The reverse side carries a more dramatic image: Trump raising his fist after the Butler, Pennsylvania, assassination attempt earlier this year, with an American flag behind him and the words “FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT” printed across the top.
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. https://t.co/c6HChM6ijG
— U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach (@TreasurerBeach) October 3, 2025
However, placing Trump on the coin could violate long-standing US law. Federal code clearly states: “No coin issued under this subsection may bear the image of a living former or current President, or of any deceased former President during the 2-year period following the date of the death of that President.”
Congress had earlier passed the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act, which allows the Treasury to issue special $1 coins during 2026 to mark the semiquincentennial. The law also bars the use of portraits or busts of living people on the reverse side of coins.
The draft design technically avoids that restriction on the obverse by showing Trump’s profile, but the Butler image on the reverse leaves the legality unclear.
When asked about the controversy, a Treasury spokesperson told CNN that the design is not final. “While a final $1 dollar coin design has not yet been selected to commemorate the United States’ semiquincentennial, this first draft reflects well the enduring spirit of our country and democracy, even in the face of immense obstacles,” the spokesperson said.