The U.S. Mint will begin producing a $1 gold coin featuring a portrait of President Donald Trump, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced Wednesday.

Bessent unveiled the commemorative coin as part of America's 250th anniversary celebration, calling it a tribute to the nation's founding ideals and to Trump's leadership.

"As America commemorates 250 years of independence, the @USMint will begin striking this new $1 gold coin to honor the enduring legacy of liberty and a lasting symbol of patriotism," Bessent wrote Wednesday morning on X.

"Featuring President Trump, it celebrates the strength of American values, and the promise of a nation dedicated to preserving freedom for all."

The coin will feature Trump's portrait on the obverse alongside the inscription "In God We Trust" and the dates "1776-2026."

The reverse depicts the presidential seal with "250" inscribed on the shield to commemorate the nation's semiquincentennial.

Despite its appearance, the Treasury Department said the coin contains no gold or other precious metals.

Instead, it is made from non-precious metals with a gold-colored finish and will be produced at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia before becoming available for purchase this fall in rolls and collector bags.

According to Politico, the commemorative coin stems from bipartisan legislation Trump signed in 2020 authorizing the Treasury Department to issue special $1 coins during 2026 celebrating America's 250th anniversary.

The law bars images of people on the reverse of the coin but has sparked debate over whether it permits a living president to appear on the obverse.

Treasury officials have maintained that legal reviews by both the Mint and the department concluded the design complies with federal law.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the Commission of Fine Arts, whose membership now includes several Trump appointees, approved the commemorative design earlier this year.

However, members of the bipartisan Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee have objected, arguing the coin violates the long-standing tradition of not depicting living presidents on U.S. currency.

Critics, including Democrats and some coin experts, contend the move breaks with historical precedent.

Existing federal law explicitly bars living individuals from appearing on paper currency, while separate legislation governing the Presidential $1 Coin Program prohibits honoring living presidents through that series.

Supporters counter that the commemorative coin is authorized under a different statute specifically enacted for the nation's 250th anniversary and therefore falls within Treasury's legal authority.

The coin is the latest in a series of initiatives tied to America's semiquincentennial celebration, which the Trump administration has described as an opportunity to highlight the nation's history, patriotism and founding principles.

The announcement follows earlier proposals by some Republicans to place Trump on a new $250 bill, an idea that has not advanced because federal law prohibits living people from appearing on paper currency.