The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts has approved a design for a new commemorative gold coin featuring President Trump’s portrait on one side, a move that departs from a long-standing federal law prohibiting living individuals from appearing on U.S. coinage. This decision also breaks a tradition dating back to the nation’s founding. The Trump administration asserts the Treasury Department possesses the necessary authority for this exception.
The U.S. Mint in Philadelphia is set to strike its last circulating penny on Wednesday, ending production due to the rising costs of manufacturing the 1-cent coin. President Donald Trump ordered the penny’s discontinuation as the cost to produce them exceeded their value. While the penny had a historical significance and some retailers voiced concerns about the abrupt phase-out, the Treasury Department anticipates saving $56 million annually by halting production. Despite this change, the nickel, dime, and quarter are still in production, though their cost of production also outweighs their value.
John Q. Hosedrinker