The Trump gold coin is not normal

The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts has voted to approve the design for a new commemorative gold coin.On one side, an eagle in flight – on the other, a portrait of President Trump, staring directly at the viewer.Federal law prohibits living people from being featured on U.S. coins – though the Trump administration believes the Treasury Department has authority here.Moreover, it breaks a norm that dates to the beginning of the country.Caroline Turco, a curator at the Money Museum of the American Numismatic Association, explains.For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.This episode was produced by Karen Zamora and Connor Donevan, with audio engineering by Ted Mebane. It was edited by Patrick Jarenwattananon. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.