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You can now buy Philly-minted Trump coins with a golden hue

Erica Palan, The Philadelphia Inquirer on

Published in Political News

PHILADELPHIA — Gold-hued $1 coins featuring the face of President Donald Trump are now available for purchase online and at the U.S. Mint gift shop on Independence Mall in Old City.

But it’ll cost you more than a buck.

Neither Philly’s Mint nor the website has single coins for sale, so early buyers can get no fewer than 25 coins in a roll for $61. A bag of 100 coins for $154.50 is also available. Households are limited to two orders until Thursday at 2 p.m. when the cap will lift.

The commemorative coins, printed in Philadelphia to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, may be used as legal tender.

Early buyers may also find unique coins with their purchases: 250,000 Trump coins with a special-issue “July 4” mark, minted on Independence Day, have been randomly hidden in some rolls and bags, Willy Wonka-style.

First announced in July by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the coins bear Trump’s face on one side with the words "Liberty, In God We Trust" and "1776 ~ 2026." The other side features the presidential seal, with “250″ inscribed on the eagle’s shield.

 

The coins faced hurdles in production, with critics arguing that they violate U.S. code that says “only the portrait of a deceased individual may appear on United States currency.” In response, Bessent cited historical precedent: In 1926, the U.S. minted a commemorative half-dollar featuring living President Calvin Coolidge.

Although the coins are gold-colored, they are composed mostly of nonprecious metals, including copper, zinc, manganese, and nickel. No actual gold is used in the coins.

In November, the mint stopped producing pennies due to rising costs. According to the mint, it cost up to 3.69 cents to create one penny.

Philadelphia is home to the nation’s oldest mint, built in 1792. Visitors can tour the facility on weekdays. It is the world’s largest coin-making factory, according to the Guinness Book of World Records.

_____


©2026 The Philadelphia Inquirer. Visit inquirer.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

 

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