WASHINGTON — The US Treasury Department is weighing the possibility of minting a one dollar coin featuring former President Donald Trump to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary next year, a spokesperson confirmed Friday, in a move that has already sparked debate over tradition, legality and symbolism.
The draft design, prepared under the direction of US Treasurer Brandon Beach, reportedly shows Trump’s profile on one side and a depiction of the former president with a raised fist before an American flag on the reverse, accompanied by the words “FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT.” Officials stressed the design is not final and remains under review.
“While a final $1 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,” the Treasury spokesperson said.
The initiative stems from a 2020 bipartisan law signed by Trump himself that authorizes the Treasury secretary to issue commemorative one dollar coins in 2026, symbolizing the 250th anniversary of US independence. The legislation requires that the designs be “emblematic of the United States semiquincentennial.”
Traditionally, US currency and coins honor deceased figures, with few exceptions. Federal statutes restrict the appearance of living individuals on US currency, a practice rooted in efforts to avoid perceptions of political favoritism or personality cults.
The last major exception was the commemorative coin for the Apollo 11 anniversary, which featured symbolic imagery, not living individuals, said Dr. Helen Ruiz, a numismatic historian at Georgetown University.
Featuring a living former president, especially one as politically divisive as Trump, would be unprecedented in modern history. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Friday she was unaware if Trump had been briefed on the proposed design.
Experts say the idea could test the boundaries of existing law and long standing tradition. Under Title 31 of the US Code, living persons generally cannot appear on federal currency, explained constitutional scholar Mark Ellison of the University of Chicago.
If the Treasury moves forward, it will likely require congressional clarification or an exemption otherwise, the Mint could face legal challenges. Political analysts also noted that the design’s slogan “FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT” may heighten controversy.
Commemorative coins are meant to unify, not divide, said political historian Dr. Rachel Lin. “Inserting overtly combative language risks politicizing what should be a national symbol.”
Still, supporters argue that Trump’s economic and foreign policy record warrants recognition. “President Trump played a pivotal role in restoring American strength and sovereignty,” said Tom Hughes, director of the conservative Liberty Foundation. “A semiquincentennial coin featuring him would celebrate the leadership that revitalized the nation.”
US commemorative coins have historically celebrated milestones rather than individuals. For the nation’s bicentennial in 1976, the Mint released quarters, half dollars, and dollars featuring the Liberty Bell and the moon, as well as the drummer boy design all free of portraits of living persons.
According to the US Mint, over 50 commemorative coin programs have been authorized since 1982, none depicting a living individual. “Breaking with this precedent would mark a seismic shift in U.S. numismatic practice,” Ruiz said.
Public reaction remains mixed. In a recent CivicPulse survey, 41 percent of respondents said they would support a Trump coin, 39 percent opposed it, and 20 percent were undecided.
In Washington, locals offered varied perspectives on the proposal. “I think it’s fitting,” said Richard Collins, a retired veteran visiting the National Mall. “Trump was president during a major turning point, and whether people like him or not, he’s part of our history.”
Others disagreed. “Putting a living political figure on money sends the wrong message,” said Aisha Ramirez, a small business owner in DC. “It should represent all Americans, not one political movement.”
Collectors, meanwhile, view the potential release with cautious curiosity. “If it’s authorized, it will be a landmark piece,” said James Li, a coin dealer from Baltimore. “But its value would depend more on rarity and controversy than metal content.”
Treasurer Beach said on X that further updates would follow once the obstructionist shutdown of the United States government is over. The Treasury Department did not provide a timeline for final decisions on coin designs.
Congress may ultimately weigh in. Lawmakers from both parties have signaled interest in ensuring the semiquincentennial coin program remains bipartisan. “We should honor 250 years of freedom in a way that unites the nation,” Sen. Lisa Cortez, D-N.M., said in a statement.
If approved, the Trump coin would join a suite of 2026 commemoratives, potentially including designs celebrating the Founding Fathers, national monuments, and symbols of liberty.
The Treasury Department’s consideration of a $1 Trump coin underscores the complex interplay of politics, tradition and symbolism as the United States approaches its 250th year.
Whether the former president’s likeness ultimately appears on legal tender may hinge as much on law and precedent as on public sentiment.
For now, the proposal remains a draft one reflecting both the nation’s enduring debates and its search for shared meaning in milestone moments.