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Gold Trump coin moves forward after Treasury invokes rare authority
Singer-songwriter Lee Greenwood discusses the momentum behind America 250 celebrations on ‘Mornings with Maria.’
The U.S. Mint is moving forward with a gold commemorative coin featuring President Donald Trump after a federal arts commission approved a design Thursday, with Treasury officials citing a legal authority that allows the inclusion of a sitting president despite longstanding restrictions.
FOX Business confirmed with a source familiar with the Commission of Fine Arts that the design shown is the mock-up approved by the panel, clearing a key step toward production of the coin.
The move is notable because federal law traditionally bars living individuals from appearing on U.S. currency, but Treasury officials say a separate statutory authority allows the minting of gold coins that can feature the sitting president, setting up a potential break from long-standing precedent.
“As we approach our 250th birthday, we are thrilled to prepare coins that represent the enduring spirit of our country and democracy, and there is no profile more emblematic for the front of such coins than that of our serving President, Donald J. Trump,” U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach said in a statement provided to FOX Business.
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A semiquincentennial commemorative gold coin design featuring U.S. President Donald Trump, in this undated handout image. The black and white sketch shows what one side of the coin is expected to look like. (U.S. Mint/Handout via REUTERS / Reuters)
Beach added that the proposed commemorative gold coin would be separate from circulating currency and fall under the Treasury secretary’s discretion.
“The Secretary has sole discretion on final design selection,” the statement said, noting the process followed review opportunities presented to advisory bodies.
The move would mark a rare instance of a sitting U.S. president appearing on a government-issued coin.
Treasury officials pointed to a provision under federal law, 31 U.S.C. § 5112, that allows the secretary to authorize bullion and proof gold coins with specifications, designs and inscriptions determined at their discretion.
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People view the portrait of U.S. President Donald Trump, taken by official White House photographer Daniel Torok which is the basis of a proposed U.S. Mint semiquincentennial commemorative gold coin design, on display at the Smithsonian National Port (REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst / Reuters)
The authority allows coins to be issued “in accordance with such designs… and inscriptions as the Secretary… may prescribe from time to time,” according to the statute cited by Treasury officials.
The Treasury statement also noted that the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) declined to review the proposed designs, while the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) “has taken every opportunity to review thus far.”
Officials said the Mint fulfilled its statutory obligation to seek CCAC input despite the panel opting not to weigh in on the designs.
The approved design features Trump in a suit and tie with a stern expression, leaning forward with his hands resting on a desk in a forceful pose, according to materials presented to the commission.
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President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference at Trump National Doral in Miami, Florida, on March 9, 2026. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)
The coin includes “LIBERTY” along the top and the dates “1776–2026,” marking the nation’s semiquincentennial.
The reverse side is expected to depict a bald eagle in flight alongside traditional inscriptions including “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.”
The Associated Press first reported that the Commission of Fine Arts approved the design without objection during its March meeting on Thursday.
The effort represents a departure from traditional practice, as U.S. currency has historically avoided depicting living individuals, though commemorative and bullion coins operate under different rules.
Officials said the coin will be part of a limited production run, with final details on size and denomination still under consideration.
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The coin is tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations in 2026, with Treasury officials framing the effort as part of a broader initiative to mark the milestone.
The White House did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ request for comment.
US negotiators to head to Pakistan and Iranian cargo ship seized – a recappublished at 00:37 BST 20 April
Tankers in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday
Here’s a recap of the latest developments.
US negotiators will head to Pakistan on Monday with the intention of holding further talks on ending the war, Trump says – but Iranian state media cites unnamed officials as saying Tehran has “no plans for now to participate”.
The prospect of further high-level negotiations – a White House official says Vice-President JD Vance will attend – comes amid reports of fresh attacks on commercial vessels.
Trump says the navy intercepted and took “custody” of an Iranian tanker attempting to pass through the US blockade, “blowing a hole” in the ship’s engine room in the process.
Earlier, in the same post announcing his representatives would travel for more talks, Trump renewed his threat to destroy Iranian energy sites and bridges if no deal is reached.
Reports in Iranian media over the weekend suggest Iran is continuing to work on plans to potentially apply a toll to ships passing through the strait – although it’s unclear if such a move will be implemented.
Iranian state TV cites unnamed officials as saying that “continuation of the so-called naval blockade, violation of the ceasefire and threatening US rhetoric” are slowing progress in reaching an agreement.
Trump also accused Iran of violating the ceasefire, saying more commercial ships have been attacked by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz.
A UK maritime agency reported two commercial ships came under fire in the strait on Saturday.
Iran’s foreign minister had said on Friday that the strait would be opened – which was shortly followed by Trump saying the US naval blockade of Iranian ports would remain in place until a deal is reached. Iran has since said the strait is closed again.
new video loaded: 8 Children Killed in Louisiana Shooting, Police Say
By Christina Kelso
April 19, 2026
An aerial view shows damage from a tornado, on Saturday in Lena, Ill.
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Communities across the Upper Midwest are cleaning up after tornadoes and severe weather impacted the region over the weekend, damaging and destroying dozens of homes and knocking out power for tens of thousands.
“Numerous” severe storms were tracked across parts of Iowa, Illinois and Missouri on Friday, according to the National Weather Service. At least 66 tornado reports were submitted in multiple states including Oklahoma, Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin and Iowa, the NWS Quad Cities IA/IL office said Sunday.
No deaths have been reported from the severe weather and tornado outbreak.
In Marion Township in Minnesota, about 30 homes were damaged and a dozen have significant damage because of a tornado, according to the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office. The tornado also damaged at least 20 homes in Stewartville and there is a temporary shelter in Rochester for people displaced by the storms, according to MPR News.
“Tornado disaster recovery continues to occur at full speed,” the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office said on Saturday.
In Illinois, McClean County officials declared a disaster emergency because of severe storms in Bloomington. “At this time, no injuries have been reported, and emergency response agencies remain actively engaged to ensure public safety and continuity of essential services,” officials said in a statement.
But further north in the village of Lena, an EF-2 tornado caused the “most significant damage” where “many homes and outbuildings were damaged, trees uprooted, and power lines downed,” the NWS said. Numerous roads have also been blocked by debris, the Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office also said.
People continue to clean up following a tornado, on Saturday in Lena, Ill.
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There have been no fatalities and no reports of serious injuries associated with the storm, Chief Deputy Andy Schroeder from the Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office told NPR on Sunday.
More than 43,000 customers lost power in Illinois but power was restored to almost all of them by Saturday night, according to electric utility ComEd.
Several tornadoes also occurred across Wisconsin, according to the NWS office in La Crosse. Twenty-six tornado warnings were issued by the office on Friday, the most in one day since the weather service office was built in 1995.
In one Marathon County town, 75 homes were destroyed by a tornado, according to Ringle Fire Chief Chris Kielman.
“It took out a whole residential area,” Kielman said, according to Wisconsin Public Radio.
The American Red Cross of Wisconsin said volunteers are helping those impacted by the storm with meals, shelter and support.
Parts of the state are still dealing with multiple rounds of severe weather and tornadoes from earlier in the week that brought flooding to some communities.
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