US Mint Partners With DC For New Coin Series Celebrating The Art Of Comics
by Brendan M. Allen
This summer, the United States Mint plans to partner with DC Comics for a new coin and medal series that will celebrate comic book art. Cool. Cool. Tracking thus far. The press release goes on to say that graphic storytelling is a “uniquely American” art form. Yeah, you lost me there. Comics are made worldwide, with massive comics scenes in the UK, South Korea, Belgium, Italy, China, and Japan. Manga, Manhwa, and Manhua are massive exports for Japan, Korea, and China, respectively.
It can’t even be claimed that the US was first to make comics. Comic Cuts was published in Britain in 1890. It didn’t take very long for the US to follow suit with serialized newspaper strips like The Yellow Kid (1895), Little Nemo in Slumberland (1905), Krazy Kat (1913), and Little Orphan Annie (1924). They weren’t the first kids to show up at the party, and they weren’t comic books.
Now that we’ve established that comics were neither invented in the US, nor are they unique to the US, let’s take a look at these coins.
The three-year series, from 2025 through 2027, will produce collectible coins and medals featuring three iconic DC Superheroes who reflect American values and culture. Superman*, Batman, and Wonder Woman will be the first characters featured, followed by an additional six DC Superheroes. The three designs will be struck each year in gold and silver, with matching clad medal sets available later in the year or early the following year.
The Mint’s Chief Engraver, Joseph Menna, will develop original artwork for the DC Superheroes featured on the obverse (heads) side of the coins and medals in this series. Each of the reverse (tails) sides will be designed by one of the Mint’s Medallic Artists under Menna’s art direction.
“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.”
Check out the proposed design of the Superman gold coins below.
A fan survey helped the US Mint choose the six DC heroes who will join Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman as the first designs in the Comic Art and Medal Program. The new series will eventually feature nine iconic superheroes depicted on 24-karat gold coins, .999 fine silver medals, and non-precious metal (clad) medals. Debuting in Summer 2025 with Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, the three-year series will include six additional DC characters, three each in 2026 and 2027.
This unprecedented initiative marks the first time the Mint has entered a public–private partnership of this magnitude. The Mint has a long tradition of producing coins and medals that pay homage to America’s values, icons, and significant moments.
“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 Ventris C. Gibson, Director of the 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.”
Check out the initiative at this link.
* The irony that the first coin design features an undocumented (literal) alien is not lost on me.
