News Summary
President Donald Trump has nominated Paul Hollis to serve as the next Director of the U.S. Mint. With a strong background in numismatics, including over a decade in the rare coin industry and authorship of a relevant book, Hollis is poised for Senate confirmation. If approved, he will manage operations including Fort Knox and make crucial decisions on future coinage, such as celebrating the Declaration of Independence and the potential phasing out of the penny.
Washington, D.C.
President Donald Trump has nominated Paul Hollis, a current member of the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, to become the next Director of the U.S. Mint. This nomination is significant as the U.S. Mint is tasked with producing American coin money, overseeing various operations related to coin and medal production.
Hollis has expressed that being nominated as the U.S. Mint Director is a “life’s dream.” With a robust background in numismatics, or the study of coins, he has been passionate about coins since his childhood, which has shaped his career path. His nomination now awaits confirmation by the U.S. Senate, with a hearing anticipated to take place within the next two months.
Qualifications and Background
Having graduated from Louisiana State University (LSU) in 1994, Hollis brings over a decade of experience in the rare coin industry, having worked at Blanchard and Co., a prominent firm dealing with rare coins and precious metals. He subsequently founded his own rare coin business and in 2011 published a book titled American Numismatist, which details the history of U.S. coin production. Hollis is confident in his qualifications to lead the U.S. Mint and manage its wide-ranging operations.
If confirmed, he will oversee six manufacturing plants and approximately 500 law enforcement agents, as well as manage Fort Knox, which houses the U.S. government’s gold reserves in Kentucky. The Mint director plays a quintessential role within the U.S. Treasury and serves a five-year term.
Current Situation
Since March, Kristie McNally has been serving as the interim U.S. Mint director after Ventris Gibson stepped down. Hollis holds a significant political profile, currently representing District 1 on the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. This district includes parts of St. Tammany, Jefferson, Orleans, and Tangipahoa parishes. Additionally, he previously served in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 2012 to 2023.
Should Hollis be confirmed as Mint director, he will need to resign from his position on the school board, prompting the Governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, to appoint a successor.
Future Initiatives and Coinage Changes
Hollis has already taken proactive steps towards this nomination, having contacted President Trump and U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson to express his interest in the role if Trump were to win a second term. He is particularly enthusiastic about upcoming projects, including plans to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with new coin releases. Furthermore, he will be involved in discussions regarding the anticipated phasing out of the penny, which is slated for early 2026.
Hollis has a personal connection to coins, identified by his attachment to a $2.50 Indian Gold coin given to him by his grandmother when he was seven years old. This personal significance underscores his lifelong passion for numismatics.
Personal Life
Maintaining his roots in Louisiana, Hollis intends to keep his residence in Mandeville, while also establishing a home in Washington, D.C. He is a family man, married with two children aged 12 and 21.
Hollis’s extensive background and enthusiasm for coin production and numismatics position him as a notable candidate for the U.S. Mint’s directorship, and his upcoming Senate confirmation hearing will be closely observed.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- NOLA: Paul Hollis Nominated to Run U.S. Mint
- Wikipedia: United States Mint
- Louisiana Illuminator: Trump Picks Paul Hollis
- Google Search: Paul Hollis U.S. Mint
- Coin World: Paul Hollis Nominated for Mint Director
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Numismatics
- WDSU: Former Louisiana Leader Appointed Director U.S. Mint
- Google News: U.S. Mint Director Paul Hollis
