Controversial Commemorative Coins Featuring Trump Approved by Fine Arts Commission
Approval of Trump's Commemorative Coin Design
The Commission of Fine Arts, an advisory group appointed by the US President, has approved a design for a gold commemorative coin featuring Donald Trump. The selected image depicts Trump leaning over the Resolute Desk, a photograph taken by the official White House photographer, which is currently displayed in the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery. Chamberlain Harris, a deputy director in the Oval Office and a member of the commission, remarked that the image captures a strong representation of Trump, emphasizing that it is fitting to feature a sitting president during the nation's 250th anniversary. Megan Sullivan, the acting chief of the Mint's Office of Design Management, confirmed that the Treasury Secretary presented various design options to Trump, who personally approved this particular image. The coin will have a denomination, although the specifics are yet to be determined.
The commissioners proposed additional design elements, such as incorporating wood grain texture to the Resolute Desk and suggested a diameter of approximately 3 inches, making it the largest coin the agency is authorized to produce. Vice chair James C. McCrery expressed a straightforward sentiment: "Don't sell out. The larger the better." The pricing for these coins remains uncertain, with other commemorative coins listed on the agency's website costing thousands of dollars.
Plans for a $1 Trump Coin
In a separate initiative, the Treasury has announced plans to release a $1 Trump coin, which received approval from the Fine Arts Commission earlier this year. This announcement faced criticism from both Democrats and coin collectors, who argued that it deviates from long-standing traditions.
Both coins are part of a broader collection of special-edition currencies and medals being introduced by the Treasury to celebrate the nation's 250th birthday.
Concerns from Historians and Coin Experts
The situation becomes more complex as neither the gold coin nor the $1 coin has been reviewed by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Council, a nonpartisan group established by Congress to provide guidance on coin design. This council declined to evaluate either proposal, asserting that featuring a sitting president on currency contradicts the foundational principles of the nation.
Council chair Donald Scarinci expressed strong disapproval, labeling both coins as "abhorrent to the Declaration of Independence" and highlighting the irony of commemorating America's independence with coins depicting a sitting leader. He warned that issuing a coin with a sitting president's portrait could imply that the president holds a royal status.
Historical Context of Coinage Traditions
This perspective is deeply rooted in history. George Washington famously declined to have his likeness featured on currency during his lifetime, believing it was more appropriate for a monarchy than a republic. Throughout US history, only one president has appeared on currency while in office: Calvin Coolidge, who was depicted alongside Washington on a half dollar coin minted for the nation's 150th anniversary in 1926. This coin was poorly received, and most of those produced were eventually melted down.
If these new coins are minted, they will add to the growing list of landmarks and institutions named after Trump, including national park passes and government building banners, as well as the recently renamed Trump-Kennedy Center for the Arts.