Federal Commission of Fine Arts Approves 24‑Karat Trump Semiquincentennial Coin Design
The Commission of Fine Arts—whose members are Trump appointees—voted unanimously and without objection to approve a 24‑karat Trump semiquincentennial gold coin, clearing the way for the U.S. Mint to begin production after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent invoked his authority over 24‑karat coins to bypass the usual ban on living presidents appearing on currency. The coin, which President Trump personally reviewed and selected, depicts him leaning forward with fists on a desk beneath an arc reading "LIBERTY" with the 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," commissioners discussed making it larger than a standard 1‑ounce gold coin (up to the Mint’s 3‑inch maximum), and the production run will be very limited with denomination and mintage undecided.
📌 Key Facts
- The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, described as made up of Trump appointees and supporters, approved the coin design unanimously and “without objection,” clearing the way for the U.S. Mint to begin production.
- Acting Mint design chief Megan Sullivan told the commission that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is invoking his authority over 24‑karat gold coins to circumvent the usual statutory bar on living presidents appearing on U.S. currency.
- The approved obverse depicts President Trump leaning forward with his fists on a desk beneath an arc reading 'LIBERTY,' with the dates '1776–2026,' 'IN GOD WE TRUST,' and 13 stars in the field; the reverse shows a bald eagle in mid‑flight with 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA' and 'E PLURIBUS UNUM.'
- Officials said Trump personally reviewed multiple designs and selected this one.
- Commissioners discussed producing the coin larger than the standard 1‑ounce gold coin—possibly up to the Mint’s 3‑inch maximum—with Commissioner James McCrery II noting Trump’s preference for 'big things.'
- U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach and Commission member/White House aide Chamberlain Harris praised the design as 'emblematic' and appropriately 'strong' or 'tough' for the 250th‑anniversary coin.
- The production run will be described as 'very limited'; exact mintage numbers and the coin’s denomination have not been decided.
📊 Relevant Data
As of February 2026, President Trump's job approval rating is approximately 47-49% among White non-Hispanic voters (who comprise about 58.5% of the US population), compared to 37% among Hispanic voters (19.3% of population) and 15% among Black voters (12.0% of population).
Donald Trump’s approval rating underwater with white voters — Newsweek
Federal law (31 U.S.C. § 5114(b)) prohibits portraits of living individuals on United States currency and securities, but this does not explicitly extend to commemorative coins, allowing the Treasury Secretary to authorize such designs for 24-karat gold coins.
Living People on U.S. Coins: Laws & Rare Exceptions — GOVMINT
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms the Commission of Fine Arts vote was 'without objection' and explicitly states this clears the way for the U.S. Mint to begin production.
- Provides a more detailed description of the coin’s obverse and reverse, including exact placement of 'LIBERTY,' dates '1776–2026,' 'IN GOD WE TRUST,' and distribution of the 13 stars.
- Quotes U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach calling Trump’s profile 'emblematic' of the 'enduring spirit' of U.S. democracy and states this is framed as part of America’s 250th birthday celebration.
- Details that acting Mint design chief Megan Sullivan told the commission Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is using his authority over 24‑karat coins to circumvent the usual statutory bar on living presidents appearing on U.S. currency, and that Trump personally reviewed and selected the design.
- Adds discussion among commissioners about making the coin larger than the standard 1‑ounce gold coin, possibly up to the Mint’s 3‑inch maximum, with Commissioner James McCrery II explicitly citing Trump’s preference for 'big things.'
- Specifies that the production run will be 'very limited,' though the exact mintage and denomination are still undecided.
- 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.