Trump gold coins celebrating 250th anniversary of U.S. independence spark controversy; can a living president legally appear on currency?

Although the legality of the move remained in question, the U.S. Council of Fine Arts voted unanimously to approve the design after its presentation at the U.S. Mint. The 24-karat gold coin will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States on July 4 this year. The gold coin depicts Trump pressing his fist on the table.

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“As we celebrate our 250th birthday, we are pleased to prepare coins that represent the enduring spirit of our country and our democracy, and there is no more symbolic face on the obverse of these coins than the face of our current President, Donald J. Trump,” U.S. Treasury Secretary Brendan Beach said in a statement to Fox Business.

Check out the coin’s design in this X post:

Federal law states that living presidents cannot appear on U.S. dollars. However, the coin was issued under the regulations of the Minister of Finance Scott Bessant According to the BBC, the minting and issuance of gold coins proves the power and discretion of the gold coins.

According to Beach, the proposed coins would be separate from the currency in circulation. He noted that the Secretary of the Treasury has full discretion over final design selection and authorized casting.

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Democrats called the proposed gold coins embarrassing and contrary to national values. The Washington Post quoted Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon as saying: “Monarchs and dictators put their faces on coins, not leaders of democracies.”

Bill Maher said, “Good news, you can now get a $1 gold Trump coin. They’re minting a gold coin with Trump’s face on it. Now, federal law strictly prohibits putting a living president on currency. That’s not controversial, but Trump found a legal loophole called ‘Fuck you.'”

The coin is now expected to join a series of special edition currencies and medals issued by the Treasury Department to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States’ independence. Bessant is expected to order the coin to be minted once the U.S. Mint releases the final dimensions.

“I move to approve this bill,” said committee vice chairman James McCrery. [coin] As shown, and you are strongly encouraged to make it as large as possible, all the way up to three inches in diameter. “