The

United States Treasury Department

is planning to release a US$1 coin depicting U.S. President

Donald Trump

, but

legal issues

surrounding

the currency

may halt its release.

U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach confirmed the draft coin design, which depicts a side profile of Trump on one side, with the other side depicting the U.S. president with his fist in the air.

The backside of the coin is reminiscent of an assassination attempt against the then Republican leadership candidate on July 13, 2024, in Pennsylvania.

“No fake news here,” Beach

said on X last week.

“These first drafts honouring America’s 250th birthday and (Donald Trump) are real. Looking forward to sharing more soon, once the obstructionist shutdown of the United States government is over.”

On Friday, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt was asked if Trump had seen the mockup.

“I’m not sure if he’s seen it, but I’m sure he’ll love it,” she said.

But the coins may need to overcome some legal issues before they end up in Americans’ wallets.

“No head and shoulders portrait or bust of any person, living or dead, and no portrait of a living person may be included in the design on the reverse of specified coins,” according to the

Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020

.

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However, some legal experts have already said the proposed coin features a wider shot of Trump that may skirt the “no head and shoulders portrait” provision.

• Email: bcousins@postmedia.com