U.S. Treasury unveils draft coin design featuring Trump for 250th anniversary

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The U.S. Treasury has released a draft $1 coin design featuring President Donald Trump as part of plans to mark 250 years since American independence in 2026.

The draft coin, revealed on Friday by Treasurer Brandon Beach on X, shows Trump in profile on the front with the word "liberty" above him and the years "1776-2026" below. The reverse depicts Trump raising a clenched fist, with the words "fight, fight, fight" and a U.S. flag in the background, referencing his remark after surviving an assassination attempt last year.

A Treasury spokesperson said no final decision has been made on the design, but stressed that the first draft "reflects well the enduring spirit of our country and democracy, even in the face of immense obstacles."

The design has sparked legal debate, as U.S. law states that no coin commemorating the nation's anniversary may feature a head and shoulders portrait of a living person. Experts noted, however, that the broader illustration of Trump may not fall under that restriction. An 1866 law also bars living persons from appearing on U.S. paper currency, but that does not extend to coins minted by the U.S. Mint.

Congress authorised commemorative $1 coins in 2026 through a 2020 law, continuing a tradition from the 1976 bicentennial when the Treasury held a national competition. That design featured the Liberty Bell alongside the moon, while the other side showed former President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who had died several years earlier.

Asked whether Trump had seen the draft, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said she was unsure but added, "I'm sure he'll love it."

Beach confirmed that further details would be released after the government shutdown ends, which has delayed many federal operations.

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