Federal Commission of Fine Arts Approves 24‑Karat Trump Semiquincentennial Coin Design
The Federal Commission of Fine Arts voted unanimously, “without objection,” to approve a 24‑karat gold semiquincentennial coin featuring President Trump, a decision made by a commission of Trump appointees and supporters and enabled by Treasury officials (acting Mint design chief Megan Sullivan said Secretary Scott Bessent is invoking authority over 24‑karat coins to circumvent the usual statutory bar on living presidents appearing on U.S. currency). The obverse depicts Trump leaning forward with fists on a desk under an arc reading “LIBERTY” with dates 1776–2026, “IN GOD WE TRUST” and 13 stars, the reverse shows a bald eagle in mid‑flight with “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” and Sullivan said Trump personally reviewed designs and chose this one while commissioners discussed making the coin larger, up to the Mint’s three‑inch maximum, with officials calling the profile “emblematic” and “strong.”
📌 Key Facts
- The Federal Commission of Fine Arts unanimously approved the 24‑karat semiquincentennial (250th) coin design “without objection”; all commissioners who voted are Trump appointees and supporters.
- Acting Mint design chief Megan Sullivan said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is invoking his authority over 24‑karat gold coins to bypass the general statutory prohibition on depicting living presidents on U.S. currency.
- The approved obverse portrays Trump leaning forward with his fists on a desk beneath an arc reading “LIBERTY” with the dates 1776–2026, plus “IN GOD WE TRUST” and 13 stars; the reverse shows a bald eagle in mid‑flight with the inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.”
- Sullivan said President Trump personally reviewed multiple designs and selected this one; commissioners discussed making the coin larger than the Mint’s current 1‑ounce gold coin, potentially up to the Mint’s 3‑inch maximum.
- U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach called Trump’s profile “emblematic” for the 250th‑anniversary coin, and Commissioner/White House aide Chamberlain Harris described the image as appropriately “strong” and “tough” for a sitting president presiding over the 250th year.
📊 Relevant Data
31 U.S.C. § 5114(b) explicitly states that only the portrait of a deceased individual may appear on United States currency and securities.
31 USC 5114: Engraving and printing currency and security ... — U.S. Code
There have been multiple precedents of living individuals featured on U.S. commemorative coins, including Governor Thomas E. Kilby on the 1921 Alabama Centennial half dollar, President Calvin Coolidge on the 1926 Sesquicentennial Exposition half dollar, and Senator Carter Glass on the 1936 Lynchburg Sesquicentennial half dollar.
Living People on U.S. Coins: Laws & Rare Exceptions | GOVMINT — GovMint
As of mid-March 2026, President Donald Trump's job approval rating stands at approximately 42%, with 55% disapproval, according to national polling averages.
Trump Approval Rating: Latest Polls | Silver Bulletin — Nate Silver's Silver Bulletin
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms the Commission of Fine Arts vote was unanimous and 'without objection' and that all commissioners are Trump appointees and supporters.
- Details the legal mechanism: acting Mint design chief Megan Sullivan says Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is invoking his authority over 24‑karat gold coins to circumvent the general statutory bar on living presidents appearing on U.S. currency.
- Provides precise design elements: Trump leaning forward with fists on a desk, 'LIBERTY' arc with dates 1776–2026, 'IN GOD WE TRUST,' 13 stars, and a reverse with a bald eagle in mid‑flight and 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA' and 'E PLURIBUS UNUM.'
- Reveals that President Trump personally reviewed multiple designs and selected this one, according to Sullivan, and that commissioners discussed making the coin larger than the existing 1‑ounce gold coin, possibly up to the Mint’s 3‑inch maximum.
- Quotes U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach calling Trump’s profile 'emblematic' for the 250th‑anniversary coin and Commissioner/White House aide Chamberlain Harris praising the 'strong' and 'tough' image as fitting for a sitting president presiding over the 250th year.