Two Senate Democrats are urging the U.S. Mint to stop production of a planned commemorative gold coin bearing President Donald Trump’s likeness, raising concerns about the origins of the gold used in the project and questioning the broader purpose of the coin itself.
The controversy centers on a 24-karat gold coin approved last month by a federal advisory panel whose members were selected by Trump. The coin is intended to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence and would feature the president’s image on the obverse side.
The approval came amid broader discussions within government circles about the possibility of creating a new $250 bill as part of the nation’s semiquincentennial celebration. Those discussions drew attention because federal law prohibits living individuals from appearing on U.S. currency.
Now, Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ron Wyden are calling for the Mint to halt production of the coin entirely.
In a letter dated Thursday and addressed to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Mint Director Paul Hollis, the senators requested an immediate pause in production and a public review of the coin’s supply chain.
“We request that the U.S. Mint halt all production of the 250th anniversary 24-karat Trump gold coin and conduct a public supply chain audit to ensure coins are not composed of illicit cartel-linked gold,” Warren and Wyden wrote.
The senators, who serve as the ranking members of the Senate Banking and Finance committees, respectively, said they had previously expressed concerns about the commemorative coin and questioned how it would benefit the public.
“We have previously raised concerns about the Mint’s plan to release a 24-karat gold coin featuring President Trump’s image for the country’s 250th anniversary and how it will in any way benefit the American public as our nation confronts an affordability crisis of President Trump’s own making,” they wrote.
The lawmakers included six questions they want answered by June 18. Among them are inquiries regarding the current stage of production and what measures were taken to determine the origin of the gold used in the project.
At the center of their request is concern that some of the precious metal could potentially originate from mines controlled by criminal organizations.
The senators also criticized the concept of the coin itself, arguing that placing a sitting president’s likeness on a commemorative gold piece raises broader questions about symbolism and tradition.
“It is troubling enough that the Mint has developed a coin bearing the President’s image, which is more befitting a monarchy than a democracy,” Warren and Wyden wrote.
They added that if the project proceeds, officials should ensure the gold used is not linked to exploitation or criminal activity.
“At the very least, the Mint should ensure that a coin intended to honor the nation’s 250th anniversary is not made of gold linked to exploitation and criminal activity,” the senators wrote.
The debate over the coin comes amid broader political disagreements regarding how Trump is commemorated during the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
Last week, Rep. Adam Smith weighed in on reports concerning a possible $250 bill and expressed skepticism that legal restrictions would prevent such a move if the administration chose to pursue it.
“Do I expect them to follow the law? No, I don’t,” Smith said.
He went on to argue that the administration would move forward regardless of objections, adding, “I’m sure Trump will print up his $250 bill just like he put his name on the money.”
For now, the senators’ request places additional scrutiny on the commemorative coin project as questions remain about both the sourcing of the gold and the role the president’s image should play in the nation’s 250th anniversary observance.
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