The Donald Trump administration announced the issuance of a new $1 coin with the president's image as part of the celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the United States, a decision that once again places the president at the center of the debate over the use of national symbols.

According to information from CBS News, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that the United States Mint has already begun production of the piece, which will have a gold-like finish and will be available next fall.

“It will honor the enduring legacy of freedom and be an eternal symbol of patriotism,” Bessent said in announcing the new currency.

The coin is part of the 250th anniversary celebrations

As the official explained, the commemorative coin seeks to highlight the values ​​of the United States and remember the country's Semiquincentennial, which will be celebrated in 2026.

Although it was presented as a $1 gold coin, the Treasury Department clarified that it will not be made with gold, but with common metals and a finish that simulates that material.

The administration maintains that the issuance is supported by a law passed in 2020, which authorizes special designs to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence.

The proposal revives the debate over Trump's image

The announcement also reignited the discussion about Donald Trump's presence in official symbols. In May, the Treasury Department revealed that it was analyzing the possibility of issuing a $250 bill with the president's image, although it acknowledged that this measure would require modifying federal legislation.

US law states that banknotes can only show the portrait of deceased people. In the case of commemorative coins, the administration considers that current legislation allows an exception for designs related to the country's 250th anniversary, although these must go through the corresponding review process.