Authored by Jack Phillips via The Epoch Times,
The U.S. Mint has started selling a $1 coin bearing President Donald Trump's image to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
The U.S. Mint stated in an X post on Sept. 2 that the Trump coins would be available for purchase starting at 12 p.m. ET on Sept. 2.
"These coins are also in circulation, so check your pocket change. Collect them today," the agency said in an X post.
On one side is an image of Trump with the text, "LIBERTY," "1776-2026," and "IN GOD WE TRUST." The other side has a seal with the writing, "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," "250," and "E PLURIBUS UNUM," which is Latin for "out of many, one."
The U.S. Mint website initially had a message saying, "due to extraordinarily high traffic, we are using a virtual waiting room" with an estimated waiting time listed. It took an Epoch Times reporter more than 20 minutes to access the website initially, but the waiting time declined to two minutes later in the day.
A 25-coin roll is listed at $61, and a 100-coin bag, "currently unavailable" on Wednesday, costs $154.40.
"Whether you collect modern dollars, commemorative issues, or milestone coinage, the Semi-Quincentennial $1 coin represents an important chapter in United States numismatic history," the Mint's website said. "Own a piece of American history."
The coins are composed of 5 percent zinc, 3.5 percent manganese, 2 percent nickel, and the rest is copper, according to the web page.
Last October, Treasury officials announced plans to include Trump's image on a $1 coin.
The new coin is intended "to honor the enduring legacy of liberty and a lasting symbol of patriotism," wrote Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in a post on X earlier this year. "Featuring President Trump, it celebrates the strength of American values, and the promise of a nation dedicated to preserving freedom for all."
The Treasury Department also announced in March that it would be putting Trump's signature on all new U.S. paper currency.
"Printing his signature on the American currency is not only appropriate, but also well deserved," said U.S. Treasurer Brandon Breach in a statement.
Meanwhile, the Treasury stopped producing pennies for general circulation last November after 230 years of coinage. Officials said that it costs around 4 cents to manufacture a single penny and that stopping production would save taxpayer dollars.
Although new pennies won't be made anymore, the Federal Reserve will continue to recirculate about 114 billion pennies for as long as possible, the Treasury said on its website.
"How long existing pennies remain in circulation depends largely on consumer behavior," the department stated last December.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.