President Donald Trump's face is turning up on more and more official US memorabilia.
After proposals for new passports, commemorative currency and national park passes, the Trump administration has now unveiled a new 24-karat US gold coin bearing the president's likeness.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on July 15 revealed the first official images of the collector coin. He said the US Mint will begin striking the $1 gold coin as part of the country's 250th anniversary celebrations.
"As America commemorates 250 years of independence, the @usmint will begin striking this new $1 gold coin to honor the enduring legacy of liberty and a lasting symbol of patriotism," Bessent wrote .
"Featuring President Trump, it celebrates the strength of American values, and the promise of a nation dedicated to preserving freedom for all."
The collector coin, issued as part of the United States' Semiquincentennial celebrations, bears Trump's portrait alongside the inscriptions "In God We Trust" and "Liberty 1776–2026."
Related: Treasury Secretary Bessent takes another drastic action hurting Iran
Bessent said the coin commemorates 250 years of American independence and celebrates "American values."
The announcement follows months of debate over whether Trump's image can legally appear on government-issued currency while he remains in office.
Trending on TheStreet Roundtable:
-
95% odds Messi is mentioned during France-Spain FIFA World Cup clash
-
Peter Schiff finally admits one Bitcoin regret, but says a bigger one is coming
Federal law generally bars living people from appearing on U.S. currency, though the Trump administration has argued the commemorative gold coin falls under separate legislation authorizing special designs for the nation's 250th anniversary.
Trump's brand expands across government and crypto
The gold coin is the latest in a series of Trump-branded government initiatives announced since he returned to the White House in January 2025.
Trump's public brand has also expanded into other types of financial products. Days before returning to the White House, Trump also launched the Official Trump ($TRUMP) memecoin , which briefly reached a market capitalization of about $27 billion before giving up most of its gains.
His family has also backed crypto venture World Liberty Financial , while the administration has embraced digital assets as part of its goal of making the United States the "crypto capital of the planet"
In May, Bessent unveiled a proposed $250 bill featuring Trump's portrait, saying the Treasury had prepared the design should Congress authorize such a denomination.
The proposal drew scrutiny because the Presidential $1 Coin Act and other federal laws generally prohibit living presidents from appearing on circulating U.S. currency.
Earlier, in March, the Commission of Fine Arts, whose members were appointed by Trump, approved the design for the commemorative 24-karat gold coin after reviewing proposals from the U.S. Mint.
Trump's name and likeness have also appeared, or have been proposed to appear, on several government initiatives since he returned to the White House in January 2025, including:
-
Trump Gold Card visa program
-
Federal savings accounts for children
-
Renamed government buildings
-
A planned class of US Navy warships
-
Redesigned U.S. passports
-
U.S. dollar bills carrying Trump's signature
-
National Park Service passes featuring Trump alongside George Washington
-
Proposed Trump-themed statues
During the March meeting, White House aide Chamberlain Harris said Trump preferred the largest possible version of the coin, remarking, "The larger the better."
Related: Musk's X tweaks its algorithm to bring Crypto Twitter back
This story was originally published by TheStreet on Jul 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the MARKETS section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
