US Treasury issues Trump portrait dollar coin
AM730 · 2 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
The US Treasury on Wednesday, September 2, issued a $1 coin bearing President Donald Trump’s portrait as part of commemorations for the 250th anniversary of US independence. The US Mint said the coin is not only a collectible item but will also circulate in the market, after earlier uncertainty over whether it would carry legal tender status. Its release has triggered questions about legality because federal law bars the portraits of living US presidents from appearing on American currency. CRHK reported it is the first time in 100 years that a living president’s portrait has appeared on a US dollar coin
Key Points
- The Treasury issued the Trump portrait $1 coin on September 2, with the launch reported on September 3 Hong Kong time.
- One side shows Trump with “Liberty”, “In God We Trust” and “1776-2026”, marking the 250th anniversary of US independence.
- The reverse carries a variation of the presidential seal, with an eagle, arrows, olive branch and a shield marked “250”.
- The US Mint sold rolls of 25 coins for US$61 and bags of 100 for US$154.50, both above face value.
- CRHK said the sets sold out within hours on Wednesday, though pre-orders remained open and proceeds would support community-benefiting groups and projects
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the episode is a reminder that symbolic political moves in Washington can quickly spill into legal and constitutional controversy, even when framed as anniversary commemorations. It also shows how US currency, normally treated as a neutral state instrument, is becoming part of partisan political branding under Trump’s second term