The Treasury Department is weighing whether to issue a new one-dollar coin featuring President Donald Trump’s image to commemorate the nation’s 250th birthday in 2026.
According to Politico, officials at the U.S. Mint and Treasury have circulated draft designs showing Trump’s likeness, marking what would be one of the most unusual and politically charged commemorative coins in American history.
The draft design reportedly places Trump’s profile on one side, with the reverse side depicting him before a waving American flag, fist raised, above the phrase “FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT.”
The slogan references the 2024 assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, when Trump was injured during a campaign rally but survived.
In a statement to Politico, a Treasury spokesperson praised the symbolism of the proposed design. “Despite the radical left’s forced shutdown of our government, the facts are clear: Under the historic leadership of President Donald J. Trump, our nation is entering its 250th anniversary stronger, more prosperous, and better than ever before.
While a final $1 coin design has not yet been selected to commemorate the United States’ semiquincentennial, this first draft reflects well the enduring spirit of our country and democracy, even in the face of immense obstacles.”
Treasurer Brandon Beach, who oversees the U.S. Mint, confirmed in a post on X that the images circulating online were authentic but only preliminary drafts. “Yes, the early mockups are real, but they are not final,” Beach wrote.
“More designs will be released for review and discussion once the obstructionist shutdown of the United States government is over.”
The confirmation sparked immediate debate across Washington and beyond, with supporters praising the boldness of honoring Trump as the face of the semiquincentennial, and critics denouncing what they see as the politicization of a national milestone.
The idea of a commemorative dollar coin for 2026 did not originate with Trump or his administration. In 2020, Congress passed the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act, a bipartisan law authorizing the Treasury Department to create new coinage to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
The act gives Treasury officials the authority to select designs “emblematic of the United States semiquincentennial” but requires consultation with both the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee and the Commission of Fine Arts.
Historically, such commemorative designs have reflected shared national themes rather than individual political leaders. For example, the bicentennial coins issued in 1976 featured iconic imagery like the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. Featuring a living president — especially one as polarizing as Trump — would be a dramatic departure from precedent.
In American tradition, presidents and other historical figures typically do not appear on coins or currency until after their death. George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, and John F. Kennedy are among those immortalized in this way. Only a handful of exceptions exist, and most were temporary commemorative issues.
Placing Trump on the dollar coin while he remains both alive and in office would therefore be unprecedented in modern history. For supporters, the move reflects Trump’s outsized role in shaping the nation’s trajectory and his survival against extraordinary odds. For opponents, it risks turning a moment of national unity into a partisan spectacle.
The inclusion of the phrase “FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT” in the draft design carries heavy symbolism. The words were uttered by Trump at his Butler rally just moments before the assassination attempt that left him bloodied but resolute. Supporters have since adopted the phrase as a rallying cry, symbolizing resilience and defiance.
To place those words on the nation’s commemorative coin, alongside Trump’s raised fist, would cement the moment as a defining symbol of his presidency and of America’s endurance through crises.
Critics, however, warn that embedding such a partisan slogan into national coinage risks alienating millions of Americans who do not support Trump.
Coin designs may seem like an esoteric subject, but they have often carried deep political and cultural resonance. When the Treasury altered the $20 bill design to include Harriet Tubman, for instance, the move sparked heated debates over race, history, and representation.
The Trump coin proposal is similarly poised to become a flashpoint, especially given its timing during a government shutdown and an election cycle where Trump remains central.
Democratic lawmakers have already expressed skepticism. One Democratic senator reportedly told Politico, “The 250th anniversary of America should be about America — not about one man.” Others suggested that figures like Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, or Benjamin Franklin would better embody the semiquincentennial spirit.
Republicans, however, have largely praised the idea. “Who else better represents American resilience than Donald Trump?” one GOP strategist said. “He’s the first president to survive an assassination attempt in the modern era, and he’s leading the country into its 250th year stronger than ever.”
No fake news here. These first drafts honoring America’s 250th Birthday and @POTUS are real.
Looking forward to sharing more soon, once the obstructionist shutdown of the United States government is over. https://t.co/c6HChM6ijG— U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach (@TreasurerBeach) October 3, 2025
The United States has a long tradition of issuing commemorative coins for major anniversaries. For the 1876 centennial, silver medals were struck, though not widely circulated.
The bicentennial in 1976 brought special designs for the quarter, half dollar, and dollar, all featuring patriotic imagery rather than contemporary political figures.
Other nations have sometimes placed living leaders on currency during national anniversaries, but the U.S. has generally avoided doing so to preserve neutrality. If Trump’s image appears on the semiquincentennial coin, it would mark a major shift in American numismatic practice.
Reactions among the public have been swift and divided. Supporters of Trump celebrated the leaked design as a fitting tribute. Social media posts by Trump loyalists praised the coin as “historic,” with hashtags like #Trump250Coin trending among conservative groups.
Opponents ridiculed the design, pointing to the raised fist and slogan as overtly partisan. “This isn’t a coin, it’s campaign merch paid for by taxpayers,” one critic wrote on X. Progressive advocacy groups have already indicated they may mount legal challenges to the design if it moves forward.
Coin collectors and numismatic experts are also weighing in. Some welcome the novelty of the design, noting that it would become one of the most sought-after collectibles in U.S. history. Others caution that politicizing coinage undermines its traditional role as a symbol of unity.
Trump himself has already sought to tie his legacy to the semiquincentennial. In speeches, he has described the 250th anniversary as a chance to “restore America’s greatness” and position the nation for another century of prosperity. At rallies, he has suggested that his survival from the 2024 attempt on his life symbolizes the resilience of the republic itself.
The coin, if approved, would enshrine that narrative in metal. Whether viewed as a tribute or as propaganda, it would inevitably link the 250th anniversary of American independence with Trump’s personal story.
According to the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act, the Treasury must consult advisory panels before finalizing any design. The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee and the Commission of Fine Arts will both review proposals and make recommendations. Public comment may also be sought, as has been the case with past redesigns.
Ultimately, the Treasury Secretary holds authority to approve the final design. While the draft featuring Trump is only one of several under consideration, the strong endorsement from senior Treasury officials suggests it is a leading candidate.
Treasurer Beach emphasized that the process remains ongoing. “The coin for 2026 will honor America’s semiquincentennial,” he said. “All options are on the table, and no final decisions have been made.”
The prospect of a one-dollar coin bearing Donald Trump’s face to mark America’s 250th birthday encapsulates the tensions of this political moment. For his supporters, it is a fitting tribute to a leader they view as embodying American resilience and determination.
For his critics, it is an inappropriate politicization of a national milestone meant to honor the country as a whole rather than one man.
As the Treasury Department moves toward a decision, the debate is likely to intensify. Whether the final coin bears Trump’s image, a founding father, or a more neutral patriotic symbol, the controversy reveals how deeply intertwined politics and symbolism have become in modern America.
The semiquincentennial was envisioned as a moment of national unity. Whether a coin featuring Trump can serve that purpose — or instead deepen partisan divides — remains one of the most pressing questions surrounding the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
