President Donald J. Trump 1st Year Commemorative Coin
Genius Makes its Own Rules
Be Bold • Think Big
The Rise and First Year Successes of Donald J. Trump
Created by Anthony F. Giannini
©2024 By Anthony F. Giannini & Helen Myer-Giannin
From the moment I began crafting the 2018 coin to honor Donald J. Trump’s first year as President, I recognized the profound significance of his journey. Trump’s life, as I see it, is the embodiment of his epic quest—as a young man in Queens to the global stage of the presidency, mirrors the archetypes of trial, transformation, and potential mythic greatness.
I created this coin not just to commemorate Trump’s accomplishments but to chronicle the flow of his journey—a journey that began with a childhood shaped by the discipline of the New York Military Academy and an entrepreneurial fire inherited from his father. These formative years were Trump’s call to adventure, the first step of any epic path.
Trump’s rise in the world of real estate was not just about wealth—it was about vision, audacity, and a desire to reshape the world around him. Trump Tower, the Commodore Hotel, and other iconic projects weren’t just buildings; they were symbols of transformation. Yet, as every leader must, Trump faced trials. The financial crises of the 1990s, the near-collapse of his empire, and the scrutiny of a relentless public marked his descent into the abyss. These moments tested his resolve, and like all great leaders, he emerged stronger, redefined, and ready to ascend.
The Presidency:
When Trump entered politics, I saw this as his threshold moment, the pivotal leap into the unknown that defines all heroes. His presidency was unlike any other, marked by bold economic reforms, historic trade agreements, and an unwavering determination to challenge convention. He governed with an unconventional genius, dismantling norms and forging new paths. His first year, which I immortalized in the coin, was an undeniable triumph, but the trials were only beginning.
The Epilogue phase of his first administration—the indictments, controversies, and battles that followed—was, to me, a critical moment in his hero’s journey. Every great leader faces these trials: Gilgamesh wrestled with mortality, Hammurabi sought to establish justice, and Solomon grappled with wisdom and leadership. Trump, too, stood at this crossroads, facing challenges that would define his legacy.
Now, he returns to the White House; past are his early calls to adventure, past are indictments, trials, and many foes now at his doors. Yet, this is the time that epic leaders tend to rise to the call of their own inner guides—the singular self-truths of their own best inner voices. As I reflect on his epic journey, the commemorative coin I designed is more than a keepsake; it is a token of resilience, transformation, and the enduring power of vision.
This coin—crafted with precision, artistry, and a deep appreciation for historical and political context—stands as a timeless tribute to Donald J. Trump’s first year as President. It symbolizes not only his achievements but also the indomitable spirit of a leader who dared to defy expectations and carve his path through uncharted territory. Whether you’re a historian, collector, Republican, Democrat, Independent, or admirer of bold leadership, this coin is a piece of history—a reminder that the journey of every epic leader is as much about their trials as their triumphs.
