The Trump administration plans to mint a $1 commemorative coin with the image of President Donald Trump on both sides, in a move that is a departure from long-standing traditions of avoiding putting images of living presidents on U.S. coins.
The currency, proposed to be issued on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the country, will show a picture of Trump on the front face, while his image is shown on the back raising his fist after the assassination attempt in 2024, surrounded by his slogan "Fight .. Fight. Fight.
Although U.S. law and tradition have traditionally avoided putting pictures of live characters on coins, there is no explicit prohibition against issuing this particular coin. The 2020 law that legalized the minting of 250th anniversary coins only prevents images from being placed on the back side of these coins, leaving the front face open to interpretation. The administration controls the entire process, making congressional approval unnecessary.
A departure from Republican tradition
Historically, the United States has avoided putting living leaders on the money to distinguish between the republican system and the kingdoms, where images of rulers are common on currencies. Despite this tradition, there are some precedents, including the 1926 coin that depicted then-President Calvin Coolidge, and more recent coins in which live figures such as Eunice Kennedy Shriver were honored.
If Trump’s coin is issued, it would mark a marked departure from that tradition, putting the image of a president in office on the U.S. currency.
