Trump’s $1 coin triggers buying frenzy as US Mint stocks vanish within hours

Washington: A commemorative $1 coin featuring US President Donald Trump has sparked a rush among collectors, with some initial stocks selling out within hours of its release, CNN reported.

The 2026 Semiquincentennial President Donald Trump $1 Coin went on sale through the US Mint’s online catalogue at noon on Wednesday as part of celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the United States.

Demand surged soon after the launch, with visitors to the Mint’s website placed in virtual waiting rooms and some facing wait times of more than an hour.

By Wednesday afternoon, 25-coin rolls priced at $61 were listed as “not currently in stock”, while 100-coin bags costing $154.50 were shown as unavailable, according to CNN.

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Made from a proprietary alloy of copper, zinc, manganese and nickel, the coin has a golden appearance but does not contain gold.

The obverse features a portrait of Trump, alongside the inscriptions “LIBERTY”, “IN GOD WE TRUST” and the dates “1776 ~ 2026”. The reverse carries the Presidential Seal, showing the heraldic eagle holding an olive branch and arrows, with an “E PLURIBUS UNUM” banner.

The eagle’s breast shield bears the number “250” to mark the anniversary. The reverse also carries the inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “ONE DOLLAR”.

Adding to its appeal among collectors, the US Mint produced a limited batch of 250,000 coins bearing a special “July 4th” privy mark on 4 July. These coins were randomly included in rolls and bags shipped to customers and were also released into general circulation.

“These coins are also in circulation, so check your pocket change,” the US Mint said in a social media post.

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The coin’s release is notable because living people are rarely featured on US currency. According to numismatic records, the only other time a sitting US president appeared on a US coin was in 1926, when President Calvin Coolidge was featured on a commemorative half-dollar issued to mark the 150th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

The US Mint initially limited purchases to two per household to manage demand. The $1 coins will, however, be released progressively into circulation across the country throughout the anniversary year.

(ANI)