Aesthetic approval commission for public buildings and objects has authorized the iconography of a commemorative gold coin featuring the likeness of Donald Trump, which will be minted for the 250th anniversary of the United States.
The U.S. Treasury confirmed to AFP the favorable vote of the Commission of Fine Arts, whose members were appointed by Donald Trump. After evaluating several different designs, the Commission finally approved a design showing the standing American president, with fists clenched and leaning on a table, with a determined face. On the reverse side, the collectible coin displays an eagle, symbol of the United States, according to a document released by the Commission.
The selling price of the coin has not been disclosed yet, but similar items are offered for over $1000 by the U.S. Mint.
“As we approach our 250th anniversary, we are excited to create coins that symbolize the spirit of our country and our democracy,” said U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach in a statement to AFP. “There is no more emblematic portrait for these coins than our President Donald Trump,” he added. He also mentioned that two other coins, one dollar and one ounce of gold (about 31 grams), are also under consideration.
In late February, the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC), another committee tasked with providing advisory opinions on new coin projects, had declined to include the examination of the coin featuring Donald Trump on its agenda.
Since the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence in 1776, “no country in the world has minted coins bearing the image of an democratically elected leader during their term,” stated CCAC member Donald Scarinci. “Only nations ruled by kings or dictators put their leader’s image on their coins,” he added. The Treasury Department did not immediately respond to AFP’s request for comment. Last fall’s draft for the one dollar coin showed Donald Trump on both sides, a very rare combination for official currency. On the reverse, the American president appeared with a raised fist, surrounded by the words “FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT.”
