The U.S. Mint announced plans to produce a commemorative gold $1 coin featuring President Donald Trump as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent revealed the initiative on Wednesday, marking the latest effort by the Trump administration to incorporate the president’s image into American currency. This follows a recent decision to include Mr. Trump’s signature on paper notes and ongoing discussions about issuing a $250 bill bearing his portrait.

Details regarding the coin’s release date and pricing have not been disclosed. Currently, the U.S. Mint offers semiquincentennial proof sets priced at $107. Requests for additional comment from a U.S. Mint spokesperson were not returned.

The announcement sparked criticism from lawmakers across the political spectrum. Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, denounced the move on social media, describing it as part of “the end stages” for the country’s monetary system. He expressed concern that the commemorative gold coins would be inaccessible to most Americans and warned of potential counterfeit versions being peddled by unscrupulous sellers.

Similarly, Senator Maggie Hassan, a Democrat from New Hampshire, called the coins “ridiculous and un-American.” She argued that the president should prioritize economic policies that benefit the public rather than focusing on personal recognition through currency.

The debate highlights ongoing tensions over the use of national symbols and resources in ways that intertwine political figures with traditional representations of American heritage.