Today, July 10, the United States Mint announced a historic collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products to launch a new series of collectible coins and medals celebrating comic book art and featuring DC Super Heroes characters. This marks the U.S. Mint’s first public-private partnership on this scale.
The series will feature nine iconic superheroes on 24-karat gold coins, .999 fine silver medals, and non-precious metal or clad medals. Starting in the summer of 2025 with Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, the series will continue with six more characters in 2026 and 2027.
From July 10 to Aug.11, 2024, the public can vote for the DC Super Heroes they want to see included in the series at www.usmint.gov/dc.
"This opportunity with DC signals an exciting new era for the Mint as we continue our efforts to engage seasoned collectors, but also connect with younger, more diverse audiences," said the Honorable Ventris C. Gibson, Director of the U.S. Mint. "We are thrilled to highlight the role that comic books have played in upholding American values, and the fact that the American public will be a guiding force in shaping this coin and medal series makes it even more special."
Obverses (heads side) of all the coins and medals will be designed by U.S. Mint Chief Engraver Joseph Menna, who has a distinguished career in both traditional and digital sculpture, including work for DC Collectibles.
"For me, the real gift of creating coins and comic book collectibles is how happy they make people. With that incredible honor comes great responsibility. Nothing beats bringing joy to peoples’ lives," said Menna. "Comic books are my greatest inspiration. Comic books taught me how to draw, to dream, and got me through some of the most challenging times in my life. I am really looking forward to celebrating the impact of comic art through coins and medals. I see this as an opportunity for me to combine all the worlds I love together, bringing to the American people what I hope will be the greatest collectibles of all time."
Each of the coin and medal reverses (tails side) will be designed by one of the U.S. Mint’s Medallic Artists.
DC, founded in 1934 as National Allied Publications and now a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery, is one of the oldest comic book publishers in the world.
"It is an honor to collaborate with the Mint and immortalize DC’s iconic place in American pop culture with this incredible set of collectible coins featuring the DC ‘Trinity’: Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman," said Preston Kevin Lewis, Head of Consumer Products & Retail Strategy, The Americas for Warner Bros. Discovery. "While the first set of coins releases in time for DC’s 90th anniversary in 2025, we’re eager to see how fans vote this summer when they select the next DC characters joining this engaging collaboration with the Mint."
Other possible DC Super Heroes characters to be featured on the series of medals and coins include Supergirl, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Shazam, The Flash, Aquaman, Batgirl, Robin, Hawkman, Black Canary, Blue Beetle, and Cyborg.
No thanks, but the Gold in High Relief if struck, could be worth a gander at the very least.
Supergirl it would be if I were to ever go for one…..
I sure hope the Mint considers the inclusion of some of the perhaps less recognizable but equally deserving super heroes the likes of Holographic Hobo, Junkyard Justice Dog, Green Gherkin, Seductive Snail Girl and their leader, General Disorder.
“Supergirl in High Relief”. I can’t believe it took me so long to get the thrust of that!
Take it easy, Kaiser it’s just a drawing, albeit a sexualized one. In that regard, it’s not unlike the one Tony@GA posted that he took such issue with. We humans have been doing this for eons, going all the way back to depictions of Greek and Roman gods and goddesses, and it’s all rightly called art.
Major D,
I have to think here that was one of those occasional inadvertent and somewhat unfortunate miscommunications. I was merely having some fun with Rick’s “High Relief” wish; as such there was no pro- nor anti- anything implication intended by my having displayed this particular illustration. As for Tony@GA’s meme, I could give a hoot what people wish to do or not do with each other as it’s absolutely none of my business.
Kaiser,
It’s good to see you defend yourself from your lighthearted comment that appears to have been an attempt to be cancelled out by the easily triggered.
By the way, there is nothing sexual at all about the drawing of Supergirl that you sent to Me.
Rick,
Thanks for that. Everyone here knows by now that I have distanced myself from controversy of any kind after all the fuss, bother and nonsense with he who shall remain nameless and I’m not about to do or say anything to help wind this place up again. As for having fun at no one else’s expense, that’s all it is.
And I replied with a lighthearted comment, Rick. I think you’re the one easily triggered. You, Tony@GA and E 1 getting all bent out of shape by the cover of a comic book. I was merely pointing out the stylistic similarity, and that it is all art. Do you get the thrust of what I’m saying? End of story for all this comic book stuff? Can we move on?
When you challenge one’s beliefs in values, culture, or otherwise, which are quite diverse here and just fine btw, you might get a reaction or two? And guilty as charged!
Sure, move on. Maybe I was confused on the part about you seeing the girl, who was not sexualized in my opinion, to being an equal to the sexualized depiction of two men swapping spit?
It’s all good, no beefs, where’s the humor icon…✔️
Miscommunication it is, Kaiser. I guess there should be a universal “tongue-in-cheek humor” icon.
Major D and Rick,
Since you two gents are both such excellent contributors and correspondents on here, I felt somewhat pained that there appeared to be an element of disagreement between the two of you regarding an issue being touched on here. However, it didn’t take me all that long to realize that what was being disputed was not in fact a matter of substance but of style, and besides, you can count me in on that universal humor icon! 🙂
We are all coin friends in the end.
Rick,
Indeed we all are, my friend, and very well said at that!
Here you go E1, Let’s call this one; “A Restoration Story 2.0”..Or, “A tale of 2 Coins 2.0″… The photo below tells a story, but only the first couple of chapters–so far. Chapter 1(Fail) Attempt to Restore an NGC coin over at PCGS and keep the grade that NGC has determined = Nope. No guarantee to keep the grade. A PCGS submitted coin for a PCGS restoration? Yep, keep the original grade(1976-S MS69 example)… Chapter 2(Fail) Attempt to Cross the coin over from NGC to PCGS and keep the original NGC determined grade. Then attempt the PCGS restoration with the… Read more »
Rick, The lesson to “A Restoration Story 2.0” is, don’t allow anything to happen without a grade guarantee. Also, it would be difficult for me to draw any further conclusions without having those coins in hand and a scope by my side. Just so you know, I’ve been stung big time over and over playing the same game with Cameo Franklins and early Kennedy Cameos. That’s why I don’t play that game anymore. A down grade at these heights can be utterly painful and disappointing. NGC handles the cameo/DCAM grading structure much differently than PCGS (e.g. “+”, “W”, and “✰… Read more »
E1, Well said, solid, and agreed. I thought I’d take a chance with a PCGS conversion and restoration one way, or another the safe way(grade retention), only because I have a preference toward PCGS. I gave it a go and it didn’t work out. It could have worked out if I were to allow a crackout PCGS regrade = too risky without the grade retention guarantee. The two coins are a top pop in their respective categories with a combined valuation of $10k–My pain would run deep if a downgrade were to occur, as you pointed out from experience. Both… Read more »
Rick, Great CC DMPL! However, I can’t tell if those distractions at 9 O-clock are scratches or smudges. It could be from a canvas bag rub. That is probably why the coin graded a 4. Just be aware of distractions like that. Distractions that may or may not conserve out. Put a high intensity black light on it and see if that tells you anything. Finger print smudges tend to light up yellowish. I would also give it a high power visual inspection with a scope. Proceed slowly with that one. This dilemma is much more complicated. If you have… Read more »
E1, The 9 O’clock distractions consists of both chatter and a thumbprint. The print disguises the field marks a bit. But in various lighting you can see both at different angles. My guess is that there were just too many field marks there combined with the cheek & nose marks for anything higher? I trust the grade. One of the reasons I bought the coin was in hopes of the print removal, but I don’t know now. Why? The very last opportunity for a thumbprint to happen would’ve been 52 years ago when the guy was assembling the GSA’s in… Read more »
Rick,
I suppose since the thumbprint is over fifty years old it might even be considered to add a degree of historical value, or at least I’ve given you a Magic Mike-ish sort of idea you could run with.
That could work. Or better yet, spin the fact that Richard Nixon himself was involved with these very coins, given his message inside the box. And furthermore, proclaim that Nixon himself handled this coin personally, and that is indeed his thumbprint!
Mike would be proud of that one. Also, the coin of course remains–because Nixon is “Not a Crook”!
Rick,
I think that’s a brilliant idea, Rick, especially considering that when it comes to historical samples of pen put to paper the price of a scribbling by a notorious despot like Hitler likely outpaces that of a sample of penmanship by a national hero like Churchill.
Maybe I’ll just say the print is a canvas bag impression?
And include this authentic CC bag with it!
That’s right, current bid is at $2825…3x the cost of the DPML Coin, FOR THE BAG ONLY….
https://www.greatcollections.com/Coin/1615309/ND-Carson-City-Nevada-US-Mint-Canvas-Bag
Rick,
It’s always good to see folks have their priorities right.
Oh boy, more junk coinage from the mint. I hope they’re colorised at least.
That, Craig, is the minimum we should expect. I was thinking a nice little gemstone embedded in the buckle of each of their uniform’s superbelts would be a great touch.
I’m just not interested in these unless there’s a Gold coin that looks good! I agree with you Rick! We’ll just have to wait and see. I’ll NOT be purchasing any Silver ones, no matter how low the mintage is! I just can’t see a whole lot of interest in these but I definitely think I could be wrong. The RCM has many low mintages of silver coins and they too have already done these same kinds of coins our US Mint is starting to do it seems, this is the beginning of the End!!! You ALL heard here………First, lol!!… Read more »
Not my cup of tea but let me take a contrarian view here. If the mintages are low enough and only a minuscule number of the younger comic book fans out there take an interest…… Well, my fellow old-farts, this could be huge.
Christo, ya, I thot about that too but if that happens then a lot of us old farts may just jump in just because it may have a low mintage and if/when that happens, who knows what the mintage will be. Could be a lot of returns, lol if the mintage was too high. Maybe the Mint will put a low mintage on these, that would be the correct thing to do…….I think, lol!!! It’s a crap shoot no matter. I get what your3 saying. Hey, I’m for any “wins” that come out of the Mint even if it’s NOT… Read more »
AKBob,
That certainly was a lively comment just now in which you seemed to be point and counterpointing yourself. Now that’s an accomplishment not often seen!
Christo, lower mintage does not necessarily equate to higher value- just look at the modern commemoratives. In the end, it is the demand that drives the value. If few wanted it then, why would they want it now? Also, look at all the RCM products with really low mintages. I don’t see a lot of collectors clamoring for them years later.
Major D,
Are you ever right about those ultra-low RCM mintages and how regardless of which the only response those coins seem to stir is a big “meh”!
I never stated that lower mintages equate to higher value, but comparing the US Mint to the Royal Canadian Mint is apples and oranges. First and foremost, people tend to collect coins from their own country first so lets just start by comparing Canada’s 40 million population to the USA’s 332,000,000 million. There are always exceptions but there is simply far less demand for RMC commemoratives to begin with. Non-Canadian coin collectors will rarely ever clamor an RMC issue in the first place.
Christo, ok, then what exactly were you suggesting when you said “If the mintages are low enough….this could be huge”? In fact, many in the US buy RCM coins. At any rate, what’s your rebuttal on the commemoratives? Lots of interest there, eh?
No interest from me but I’ll keep an open mind. Sure, lots of people in the USA do buy some RCM commems, but no where near enough to increase secondary market prices here by very much. The AU/AG Maples certainly appeal to stackers, but commemoratives not much, reguardless of how many are minted.
Christo,
Perhaps if I had money to burn I would order coins like the Canadian commemoratives as some of them are admittedly rather attractive, but since in the real world my finances are far more constrained than that I save my pennies for U.S. coinage.
I meant US commemoratives. And RCM across the board for low mintages.
Basketball coins never hit any stride, no collectors of youth of hoops fans dying for ANY coins, dogs
Hey AK! Looks like we have about a year to see the first installment of these DC ‘Marvels’ to come out, and yes, we’ll see what they come up with? I wonder where the money will come from with all the(uptick in)marketing that’s been going on lately? Yep, got it. If the Mint strikes the Gold in high relief and gives them the tri-finish effect like the L&B then they will look good imo. They can do the same with the Silver Medals(Tri-finish), and they will look good enough. I would guess that regular strikes will be available too. By… Read more »
Totally agree on the “We buy coins, end of story.” As for colorized, just look to the Royal Canadian Mint.
Major D,
Merely colorized to the Royal Canadian Mint is akin to a blank planchet compared to those other coins where the Mint has had entire miniature statuettes standing up on one side.
well ok at least the mint is trying to appeal to ‘younger’ people, but these 3 characters are all 80+ years old, so clearly still appealing to the old timers too. now if they went with the simpsons characters, that’d at least get closer to contemporary ‘younger’ people.
If you use the recent DC character movies as an indicator, the demographic here is clearly a much younger audience then say, the Flowing Hair design? I’m not sure about this but maybe Lady Liberty needs a comic book and a film of her own ’cause few under the age of 50 will give a crap about what the history of that coin is. Everyone, however, knows who Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman are. And like it or not the economy is improving and by the time these coins roll out in ’25 the younger generations will have already forgotten… Read more »
pretty sure mint collector coins are not included in CPI – if they were, inflation would be higher than has been reported…
Christo, young people could care less about this coin, and comic books for that matter. It is the Boomers and GenXers having nostalgia that buy both.
I’d say the audience for the Flowing Hair design was a few centuries ago.
And the last active interest group for coin collecting was likely born in the middle and slightly later twentieth century. “It’s all over now, Baby Blue.”
c_q, can you believe that The Simpsons has been on TV for 35 years? Kids today are totally digital, and only the very young ones even play with toys. Everything Boomers grew up with, like Saturday morning cartoons, toy stores, and buying comic books and baseball cards from the neighborhood drug store are a thing of the distant past. The Mint has tried, unsuccessfully, to engage young people with its Young Collector sets. It’s the adults that buy coins and sets to give as gifts, which the young put in a closet to spend or sell later. If not for… Read more »
In the memorable words of the unforgettable George Harrison, “All Things Must Pass”.
Spot ONMajor!!
c_q,
IMHO it’s less a matter of what’s on the coins as it is a case of that these are coins. We and those slightly younger may well be a dying breed (in more ways than one) when it comes to those who are at all interested in the concept of collecting coins.
The last current old guy standing needs to buy all of the coins. Otherwise, there won’t be anyone to sell to.
A big amen to that, Major D. I can’t say it more plainly: Kids don’t care about coins.
Maybe Gay Superman meets TransFlash…. Who is the target audience, not COIN collectors. Imaging if the did a series of restrike of US classics that NOBODY will ever own, Stella, 1804 $1, Gobrecht $, proof pre 33 gold, 20c in platinum. Nah Saints, and Superboy. Easy PASS
230 years ago the Mint personnel and their coin designs were largely based on a common ideology.
Today the Mint personnel and their coin designs are largely based on a common ideology.
Take it or leave it then.
Take it or leave it now……..