The Commission of Fine Arts has settled on a new design for President Donald Trump’s controversial $1 commemorative coin, intended to mark the United States' 250th anniversary in 2026. This decision comes after a previous, more contentious design was discreetly withdrawn in the wake of Democratic criticism. The commission, an independent federal advisory panel that oversees government aesthetics, examined several revised designs, each featuring President Trump's portrait, with the latest decision occurring on Thursday.
The coin’s design has been a significant point of contention in Washington, igniting debates about presidential ego and historical norms. The three updated designs submitted to the commission all portrayed close-up images of Trump’s face, with the word "Liberty" inscribed above and the years "1776 to 2026" below. Variations included Trump in a straight-ahead pose, a three-quarter turn, and a side profile.
After careful consideration, the commission members voted to recommend the side profile design, which they described as more dignified and statesmanlike. The forward-facing design, in particular, faced scrutiny, with one commissioner criticizing the depiction of Trump’s hair as inaccurate and overly dramatized.
James C. McCrery, a recent Trump appointee to the commission, expressed reservations about what he referred to as a "plate-like" quality in the president’s hair portrayal in the discarded designs. His concerns were echoed amidst broader controversies, including President Trump's decision in October to replace previous commission members, a move that itself sparked dispute.
Roger Kimball, another member of the commission, lauded the side profile selection, suggesting it offered Trump a timeless appearance appropriate for such a historic occasion. This choice marks a stark departure from the original coin design, which the Treasury Department had released in October, depicting Trump with a raised fist, purportedly after surviving an assassination attempt. That design has since been abandoned.
The commission also advised a traditional eagle for the coin's reverse side and recommended removing the Liberty Bell to simplify the imagery. However, the coin's future is not without political resistance. Democrats have initiated a vigorous effort to halt the coin's production, citing a breach of the longstanding American tradition of not featuring living presidents on currency.
Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) have introduced a bill seeking to prohibit such commemorative coins, labeling Trump's actions as authoritarian and self-aggrandizing. Merkley branded the coin an "abuse of taxpayer dollars," while Cortez Masto stated that America has never had, nor will it ever have, a monarch.
Despite Democratic opposition, the proposed legislation is unlikely to pass due to Republican control of Congress, paving the way for the coin's minting later this year. The U.S. Mint has affirmed the coin's legality under existing laws authorizing commemorative coins for the Semiquincentennial.
The ultimate decision lies with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, although President Trump has not publicly expressed a preference for any specific design. With the Commission of Fine Arts' recommendation, the stage is set for the next phase in the coin's contentious journey from concept to currency.
