Alaskan Resident Suggests Trump Penny

Letter writer proposes a new commemorative coin to match Trump's legacy.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 1:48am

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A resident of Anchorage, Alaska has written a letter to the editor suggesting that if the U.S. Mint were to produce a commemorative coin honoring former President Donald Trump, it would be more appropriate for it to be a penny, given the low value and high cost of production associated with the penny.

Why it matters

The letter touches on the ongoing debate around the usefulness and future of the penny as a currency denomination, as well as the political divisiveness surrounding Trump's legacy and any potential efforts to memorialize him.

The details

In the letter, Chuck Stielstra of Anchorage writes that although it would be illegal, he suggests the U.S. Mint produce a gold coin in Trump's honor. However, Stielstra proposes that a more fitting tribute would be a penny bearing Trump's likeness, as the penny is "kind of orange" and its cost to produce is three times its value.

  • The letter was published on April 2, 2026.

The players

Chuck Stielstra

A resident of Anchorage, Alaska who wrote the letter to the editor.

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What they’re saying

“So, although it would be illegal, Trump is having the U.S. Mint produce a gold coin in his honor. I suggest it would be more appropriate for the coin to be a penny with his likeness. The penny is kind of orange and its cost to the U.S. is three times its value.”

— Chuck Stielstra

The takeaway

This letter highlights the ongoing debate around the future of the penny as a currency denomination, as well as the political divisiveness surrounding any potential efforts to commemorate former President Trump's legacy.