Quiz: A $1 Trump coin was released. These are other historical figures that have been on US currency
WASHINGTON —
The U.S. Mint on Wednesday began selling gold-colored $1 coins featuring President Donald Trump’s likeness, marking the second time a living U.S. president has appeared on a U.S. coin.
The coin, intended to commemorate the nation’s 250th birthday, was first proposed last year but faced backlash and raised questions about its legality.
Sales began at noon Wednesday, with prices ranging from about $1.55 to $2.44 per coin. The coins can be used as legal tender.
Federal law — the Thayer Amendment and the Presidential $1 Coin Act — generally prohibits a living person’s likeness from appearing on U.S. currency. The Presidential $1 Coin Act specifically prohibits a living former or current president from appearing on the coin.
But Treasury secretaries have the authority to authorize certain commemorative coins that are not minted for general circulation. For America’s 150th birthday, the U.S. Mint released the 1926 Sesquicentennial of American Independence half dollar, featuring then-President Calvin Coolidge alongside George Washington.
What about the proposed $250 Trump bill?
In early June, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent revealed a mock-up of a proposed $250 bill featuring Trump to commemorate the nation’s 250th birthday. Congress would have to approve the printing of the bill. There has never been a living person featured on a U.S. bill.
If approved, the bill would also become the highest-denomination bill currently issued. The $100 bill featuring Benjamin Franklin is currently the highest denomination in circulation.
The U.S. previously printed larger-denomination notes including $500, $1,000 and $10,000. In 1969, Treasury Secretary David M. Kennedy announced denominations larger than $100 would no longer be issued or circulated to the public.
The Get the Facts Data Team researched other historical figures who appeared on now-discontinued and uncommon U.S. currency. Take the quiz below to see if you can identify them.
