WASHINGTON — Federal arts officials have given the final go-ahead for a special 24-karat gold commemorative coin featuring President Donald Trump’s likeness as part of America’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebration on July 4th.
The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts unanimously approved the coin’s design during Thursday’s meeting, allowing the U.S. Mint to move forward with production. Commission members, all Trump appointees from earlier this year, voted without any opposition to the proposal.
U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach expressed enthusiasm for the project in an official statement: “As we approach our 250th birthday, we are thrilled to prepare coins that represent the enduring spirit of our country and democracy, and there is no profile more emblematic for the front of such coins than that of our serving President, Donald J. Trump.”
This decision represents another departure from traditional presidential customs, as Trump continues placing his name and image on various historical markers. Previous examples include renaming the U.S. Institute of Peace, the Kennedy Center performing arts venue, and designating a new battleship class, among other commemorative actions.
While federal regulations typically prohibit featuring living presidents on U.S. currency, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has utilized special authorization powers to circumvent this restriction for the gold commemorative coin, according to Megan Sullivan, acting chief of the Office of Design Management at the Mint.
Sullivan unveiled the coin’s completed design during Thursday’s commission gathering and confirmed Trump had personally approved the final version. “It is my understanding that the secretary of the Treasury presented this design, as well as others, to the president and these were his selection,” Sullivan explained.
Neither the White House nor the Mint provided immediate responses to requests for additional information.
The coin’s front side showcases Trump wearing a suit and tie with a serious expression, his hands positioned on what appears to be a desk surface as he leans forward. The word “LIBERTY” curves across the top portion, with “1776-2026” displayed directly below. “IN GOD WE TRUST” appears at the bottom, flanked by thirteen stars arranged seven on one side and six on the other.
The back features a soaring bald eagle with “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” positioned on the right and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” on the left side.
Commissioner Chamberlain Harris, who serves as a senior White House aide to Trump, praised the design’s appearance: “I know it’s a very strong and a very tough image of him, and I think it’s fitting to have a current sitting president who’s presiding over the country over the 250th year on a commemorative coin for said year.”
Production will involve a “very limited production run,” Sullivan noted, though exact quantities remain undetermined. The coin’s final size and denomination are still being decided, with some commissioners suggesting the largest possible dimensions given Trump’s preference for substantial items.
The Mint is considering dimensions larger than their standard 1-ounce gold coin, which measures approximately 1.3 inches across, Sullivan indicated. Their biggest coin reaches 3 inches in diameter, “so we’re looking somewhere in there,” she added.
Commissioner James McCrery II, who designed Trump’s proposed 90,000-square-foot White House ballroom addition approved by the commission in February, commented on sizing preferences: “I think the president likes big things.”
Harris, who works as special assistant to the president and deputy director of the Oval Office, agreed with McCrery’s assessment. “I think the larger the better. The largest of that circulation, I think, would be his preference,” Harris said regarding Trump’s likely preference.
