(AURN News) — A new 24-karat gold coin featuring President Donald Trump has been approved by a federal arts commission made up entirely of his appointees.
The coin, tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary, is already raising legal and ethical concerns.
Federal law has long barred living presidents from appearing on U.S. currency, a policy dating back to 1866 and reinforced in modern statutes.
But Treasury officials argue it is not currency in the traditional sense, but rather a limited-edition collector coin. Under that interpretation, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent could authorize it.
The design features Trump standing behind a desk with a stern expression, with “Liberty” above and “In God We Trust” below, along with the dates 1776 to 2026. The reverse features a bald eagle in flight. Officials hinted that it could be one of the largest coins ever produced.
Click play to listen to the report from AURN White House Correspondent Ebony McMorris. For more news, follow @E_N_McMorris & @aurnonline.
