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🇫🇷 France /Culture & Society

American coin bearing Donald Trump’s image goes on sale

From Le Figaro · () French

Translated from French and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Newswire From a news agency New plan
  • A commemorative one-dollar coin featuring President Donald Trump went on sale in the United States as part of a series for the country’s 250th anniversary.
  • Buyers can purchase rolls of 25 coins for $61 or bags of 100 coins for $154; the reverse shows an eagle.
  • The coin’s approval drew criticism because no democratically elected U.S. president had previously appeared on coins while still in office, according to a Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee member.

A commemorative one-dollar coin bearing Donald Trump’s portrait is now available for purchase in the United States, adding a presidential image to a series marking the country’s 250th anniversary.

As we approach our 250th anniversary, we are thrilled to prepare coins that symbolize the spirit of our country and our democracy.

— Brandon BeachThe U.S. treasurer described the anniversary coin series in comments supporting the issue.

The coin is sold in rolls of 25 for $61 or bags of 100 for $154. Its reverse features an eagle, the national symbol of the United States. The portrait on the obverse resembles Trump’s official portrait, which itself drew on a police booking photograph from the Georgia investigation into possible interference in the 2020 election.

There is no more iconic portrait for these coins than our president Donald Trump.

— Brandon BeachBeach explained why Trump’s portrait was selected for the commemorative coin.

The Commission of Fine Arts approved the coin in mid-March. All of the commission’s members were appointed by Trump. U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach welcomed the planned anniversary coins, saying, "As we approach our 250th anniversary, we are thrilled to prepare coins that symbolize the spirit of our country and our democracy." He added, "There is no more iconic portrait for these coins than our president Donald Trump."

Since the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence in 1776, no country in the world has minted coins bearing the image of a democratically elected leader while that leader was still in office.

— Donald ScarinciThe Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee member criticized the precedent set by the coin.

The decision was not uncontested. In late February, the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee declined to place the Trump coin on its agenda for review. Committee member Donald Scarinci said, "Since the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence in 1776, no country in the world has minted coins bearing the image of a democratically elected leader while that leader was still in office." He added, "Only nations ruled by kings or dictators put the image of their leader on their coins."

Only nations ruled by kings or dictators put the image of their leader on their coins.

— Donald ScarinciScarinci contrasted the coin with the traditions of democratic governments.
About this summary

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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