Trump s 24-karat gold coin approved by hand-picked federal panel

A special gold coin featuring the image of former US President Donald Trump has received approval from a federal arts commission. This 24-karat gold coin is designed to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary on July 4th. The coin depicts Trump with his fists resting on a desk. After a presentation from the US Mint, the US Commission of Fine Arts voted unanimously to approve the coin’s design, even though there were concerns about its legality. Federal law prohibits a living president from appearing on US currency. However, the coin is being created under the authority of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who has the power to mint and issue proof gold coins. Bessent is expected to give the order to mint the coin once the US Mint finalizes its size. James McCrery, the commission’s vice-chairman, stated, “I motion to approve this [coin] as presented, and I strongly encourage you to make it as large as possible, up to three inches in diameter.” For reference, a US quarter is less than an inch wide. Last year, Trump dismissed the members of the Commission of Fine Arts and replaced them with supporters. Additionally, Democratic Congressman Ritchie Torres from New York introduced a bill called the Trump (The Restrict Ugly Money Portraits) Act, which aims to prevent presidents from putting their images on currency. That bill has not been approved. The US Mint did not reply to a request for comment from the BBC.