Trump-picked panel approves gold coin with his image: ‘the larger the better’

A federal arts ⁠panel comprised of members appointed by Donald Trump unanimously approved a commemorative gold coin featuring his image on Thursday, in the latest effort by the administration to celebrate the US president.Critics, including Democrats and members of another federal arts committee, said minting a coin with a sitting president’s image went against American values, especially as the nation celebrates its 250th birthday this year and the end of British monarchical rule.During a presentation by a US Mint official to ‌the Commission of Fine Arts, discussion turned to what diameter the 24-carat coin should be, up to a maximum of three inches (7.62cm).Chamberlain Harris, 26, a White House aide whom Trump appointed to the commission this year, said the biggest possible coin would be Trump’s preference.“The larger the better,” she said, shortly before the coin was approved by the entire panel.The commemorative gold coin design features US President Donald Trump. Image: US Mint via ReutersThe US Mint will now produce final dimensions for the coin. Trump has already approved the design and it is expected that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, a Trump loyalist, will order the coin to be minted.