Trump $1 coin makes him first living president on US currency

The US Mint special edition $1 coin features a portrait of Donald Trump alongside the words 'LIBERTY' and 'IN GOD WE TRUST'. According to the US Mint, the coins are not currently in stock but more are being made.

The law banning living presidents from appearing on US currency was used to overcome this. However, a design clause in legislation for the 250th anniversary allowed Trump's portrait to be included.

The coins were also sold in vending machines at the US Mint store in Washington DC and can be used as legal tender to pay off debt and taxes.

While they are not in circulation, they have been '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 coin has a golden colour but does not contain any actual gold. According to the US Mint, they are 88. 5% copper with the balance being made up of zinc, nickel and a manganese brass outer layer. While they are not in circulation, they can be used as legal tender to pay off debt and taxes, although federal law states that businesses can decide whether or not to accept them.

Vending machines selling Trump $1 coins at the US Mint store in Washington DC

In May, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said his department was planning to issue a new $250 bill bearing a portrait of President Trump. At the time, Bessent highlighted that another living US president has previously appeared on the country's currency.

A half-dollar that was issued to commemorate America's 150th anniversary in 1926 featured then-President Calvin Coolidge.

The Trump administration has also cited the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020, from Trump's first term. While this statute prohibits portraits of living people on the reverse (tails side) of coins, it does not explicitly cover the obverse (heads side), where Trump's likeness appears on the new $1 coins.

In March, the Treasury announced that US paper money would soon bear Trump's signature - another first for a sitting US president.

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The existing article states that the $1 coin was created to celebrate America's 250th anniversary with a once-in-a-generation anniversary design destined to become a standout addition to modern collections.