The United States Mint has partnered with DC owners Warner Bros Discovery to put superheroes onto commemorative 24-karat gold coins. Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman will be the first to get the treatment in summer 2025, with six more to be decided by online survey for release in 2026 and 2027. Aside from the deluxe gold treatment, fans can also fork out for slightly less exorbitant silver and regular metal (collectible) coinage.
The online survey running until August 11 asks fans to gauge their interest among twelve pre-selected characters to make the remaining six DC coins. In alphabetical order, these characters are: Aquaman, Batgirl, Black Canary, Blue Beetle (Jaime Reyes), Cyborg, The Flash, Green Arrow, Green Lantern (John Stewart), Hawkman, Robin, Supergirl, and Shazam. There doesn’t seem to be a box for alternative suggestions – sorry Booster Gold fans.
The announcement and coin release schedule comes during DC’s 90th anniversary year as a comics publisher. The company was founded as National Comics Publications in 1934 and its first published comic book New Fun: The Big Comic Magazine released in 1935. A mere three years later saw the introduction of their leading lights Superman and Batman, in 1938, and another three years for Wonder Woman in 1941.
The partnership was announced July 10 in a press release:
“The United States Mint (Mint) is pleased to announce a historic collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products to launch a new collectible coin and medal series celebrating comic book art as a uniquely American artform, featuring DC comic book characters and art. 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 historic alliance featuring DC Super Heroes continues that tradition and acknowledges the role comic art has played in reinforcing American ideals.
“The new series will 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.”
Warner Bros. Discovery’s Head of Consumer Products & Retail Strategy (The Americas) Preston Kevin Lewis said:
“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. 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.”
US Mint Director, Honorable Ventris C. Gibson said:
“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. 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.”
While the PR claim about comic books being a “uniquely American artform” is rather dubious, you can’t contest the power of the American superhero in the zeitgeist. One hopes that the coins will at the very least credit the characters creators in some way in the final release.
The face of the coin will be designed by United States Mint Chief Engraver Joseph Menna, who has a private portfolio that includes work on DC Collectibles; the reverse will be designed by one of the Mint’s own Medallic Artists, under Menna’s oversight and direction.
Menna said about this partnership:
“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. 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.”
