Trump Commemorative Gold Coins May Miss Independence Day Deadline
Delay in Production of Trump Gold Coins
Newly designed gold coins featuring the image of former US President Donald Trump are unlikely to be ready for the 250th anniversary of American independence next July. This information comes from a legal document reviewed by a news outlet, which was submitted by the United States Mint in response to a lawsuit aimed at halting the coin's production. The lawsuit contended that it is illegal to depict a sitting president on US currency, although this challenge was ultimately dismissed.
As per court records, the Mint has not initiated the coin production process as the final design remains unapproved. Officials indicated that once the design receives the green light, it will take several months to manufacture the coins, making it improbable for them to be released by July 4, 2026, the date commemorating 250 years since the US declared its independence.
The lawsuit was initiated in March by James Rickher from Portland, who argued that featuring Trump's likeness on the coin would breach federal laws that prevent US presidents from appearing on currency. Rickher expressed to the news outlet that the administration's legal rationale for this project was "intellectually lazy and, at times, disingenuous." He acknowledged that while this issue may not be the most critical facing the nation, the administration's tendency to overlook norms and regulations is concerning.
However, a legal filing dated May 18 countered these claims, asserting that the proposed coin would not infringe upon the law. The Department of Justice referenced past instances of living individuals appearing on commemorative US coins, such as a 1926 coin featuring President Calvin Coolidge during the 150th anniversary celebrations and a 1995 coin depicting Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of the Special Olympics, while she was still alive. Another example cited was a 1921 coin featuring Alabama Governor Thomas Kilby.
The Justice Department further clarified that congressional approval is not necessary for coins depicting living persons. April Stafford, the director of the Office of Design Management at the US Mint, detailed the production timeline in the legal filing. She stated, "The Mint is currently in the design stage of a large 24k gold coin depicting President Trump in commemoration of the United States Semiquincentennial." Stafford also noted, "There is no official on-sale date for this gold coin. While the coin will be minted in celebration of the Semiquincentennial on July 4, 2026, this is not the target date for issuance."
Stafford mentioned that the Treasury Department is still in discussions regarding the coin's design and warned that additional modifications could be requested before final approval. According to the filing, once the design is finalized, it will take approximately six to eight weeks before the coin striking can commence, followed by several additional months for production. Although the documents did not provide a specific release date, the timeline indicates that the coins may not be available until late 2026 or early 2027.
Furthermore, the filing disclosed that only 47 coins are anticipated to be produced, each containing around 19.7 ounces of gold, valued at approximately $90,000. Officials stated that each coin would be individually crafted and released as part of a limited-edition series commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States.