Kathmandu— On Tuesday at 12pm Eastern Time, the United States Mint began circulating and selling a new $1 coin featuring President Donald Trump's likeness. The gold-colored coins, which commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary, mark the first time in nearly 200 years that a living person has been featured on US currency. Despite criticism from opponents who argue such honors are reserved for long-dead dignitaries, the coin is part of broader efforts by the Trump administration to put his name or image on various items tied to the country’s semiquincentennial.
Design and Distribution
The new $1 coins feature Trump's portrait on one side, alongside inscriptions of “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST”. On the reverse is an illustration of the US presidential seal with “250” inscribed on its shield. The US Mint says the coins “capture the spirit, pride, and legacy of a nation approaching its landmark anniversary.” Consumers can purchase a 25-coin roll for $61 or a 100-coin bag for $154.50 — a significant mark-up from their face value.
Legal Basis
US federal law states that only the portrait of a deceased individual may appear on United States currency and securities, but during his first term, Trump signed legislation known as the Circulating Collection Coin Redesign Act of 2020 (CCRA), which gave the Treasury authority to mint $1 coins “with designs emblematic of the United States semiquincentennial.” The law prohibits the portrait of any person on the reverse side but allows it on the obverse, meaning Trump’s image likely complies with the law.
Criticism and Opposition
Democratic Senators Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada and Jeff Merkley of Oregon introduced legislation to block Trump from placing his face on the coin. “While monarchs put their faces on coins, America has never had and never will have a king,” Cortez Masto said in criticism of the coin’s release. The senators argue that such vanity projects prioritize personal interests over pressing national issues.
(With inputs from Al Jazeera)
Originally published on abcnews.com.np.
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