A newly announced commemorative dollar coin bearing President Trump’s likeness is drawing criticism from legal experts who argue the move not only breaks with long-standing tradition — it may actually be against the law.
The U.S. Mint is moving forward with production of the coin, which is connected to the country’s 250th anniversary celebration. While the coin is being framed as a commemorative piece, experts say federal statutes have historically prohibited the image of any living person from appearing on American currency.
Trump would be only the second living president ever to have his face placed on a U.S. coin. The first was Calvin Coolidge, whose image appeared on a coin back in 1926.
The president’s face has shown up in a number of unusual places throughout this year, with this latest coin being among the more high-profile examples. Critics and legal scholars say the move sets a troubling precedent, regardless of the celebratory context surrounding the nation’s milestone anniversary.
