The U.S. Mint has released a new gold-colored $1 coin featuring President Donald Trump as part of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations. The coin is worth $1 as currency, but collectors who buy it directly from the Mint pay extra for packaged rolls and bags.
The 2026 coin marks the country’s Semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. From its unusual price tag to a special date mark found on some coins, here’s what buyers should know.
A Roll of 25 Coins Costs $61
The U.S. Mint sells the new coins in rolls and bags, with 25 coins priced at $61 instead of their combined $25 face value. A bag of 100 coins costs $154.50, which is $54.50 above the $100 face value of the coins inside.
Related: 10 Rare Half Dollar Coins That Can Be Worth Hundreds—or Even Thousands
Some Coins Carry a Special July 4th Mark
The Mint struck 250,000 of these coins on July 4, 2026, and gave them a special “July 4th” mark to honor the date the Declaration of Independence was adopted. Rather than selling these coins separately, the Mint randomly included them in the rolls and bags offered to collectors, according to its product information.
The Coin Isn’t Made of Gold
Despite its golden color, the coin contains no gold and is mostly copper, with zinc, manganese, and nickel. It weighs 8.1 grams, has a circulating finish, and was struck at the Philadelphia Mint without a standard mint mark.
Related: 9 Old Pennies That Could Be Worth Far More Than 1 Cent
Trump Appears on the Front
The front features a portrait of Trump with the inscriptions “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “1776 ~ 2026,” using artwork by U.S. Mint Chief Engraver Joseph Menna based on an official White House photograph. The reverse displays the Presidential Seal, including an eagle holding an olive branch and arrows, along with a shield marked “250” to recognize the country’s anniversary, as shown in the Mint’s design announcement.
The Design Has Drawn Questions
The coin has sparked debate over the tradition of keeping living presidents off U.S. coins and federal restrictions on images of living people on currency. The Washington Post reported that members of the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee questioned the design, while Treasury officials pointed to congressional authority for special 2026 coins and the precedent of President Calvin Coolidge appearing on a commemorative half dollar in 1926.
Related coverage: The Washington Post’s report on the new Trump dollar coin
Can You Spend the New Trump Coin?
Yes, the coin is legal tender with a face value of $1, so you can use it for purchases even though collectors pay more for Mint-packaged rolls and bags. The coins in these packages have a circulating finish, but they were packaged for collectors rather than released into everyday circulation first.
That makes the coin a distinctive release for the country’s 250th anniversary. If you find one in your change, it’s still worth one dollar in face value, while any additional collector value depends on its features and what buyers are willing to pay.
