What do y'all think about mint-produced coins featuring cartoon characters? Are they collectible? Would you collect them? The latest issue of Numismatic News has pictures of U.S. coins featuring Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. Or what about the Royal Mint? They've produced coins such coins as ones showing Mary Poppins, Harry Potter, and even Robin Hood. Are these really coins? I can't imagine any of these circulating. Looking for opinions and comments. Would you collect them if they were either silver or gold?
Not the greatest pic but I just had to have a 50th anniversary Bugs Bunny silver round. I'm willing to buy rounds, bars and coins with subjects that I like but don't like paying a hefty premium. If I can get the rounds at or very close to spot that's great. Coins at a realistic numismatic value for grade, that's great as well. Otherwise there's no FOMO for me on ready-made collectibles from either government or private mints.
They are not meant to circulate... they are meant to generate revenue. You'll notice many coins from places like Cook Islands, Niue, Somalia... they produce these "collectibles" with popular topics licensed for profit. Yeah, they are "coins" in that they are officially produced legal tender. But realize they are made solely so people will buy a Harry Potter, Bugs Bunny, or Yoda "coin".
They haven't been made yet but will come later in the year as silver and gold medals. Check it out on usmint.gov.
My only cartoon character is a silver round and I paid $2.00 over spot many, many years ago. Actually about 5 years ago. To me it was worth it.
Silver rounds and bars can be popular with an extrinsic value that commands prices above spot. Check prices for a silver bullet replica, a James Bond Diamonds are Forever bar, a colorized ASE or Steam Boat Willy round.
These are US mint produced. I saw an email from the mint about them last week or so. Private mints can strike whatever they like and if it suits a market, good for them. I'll withhold my feelings about US mint produced cartoon rounds.
So... they aren't coins. They are just bullion rounds produced by the US mint. The title of this thread is misleading.
No, I wouldn't collect but some do! The only way I would ever buy is if I was able to buy way below melt, way below!
https://www.usmint.gov/comic-art-24-karat-gold-proof-coin-superman-25DSG.html Well I'll be danged, he's right. This is an absolutely ridiculous new low for the US mint!
Part of the premium for some commemoratives goes to the organizations they celebrate (I'm thinking Girl Scouts). Is some of the premium on these going to Warner Brothers? A few years ago, that would've been a snarky comment. Today, I honestly don't know the answer.
I collect coins with bears and I have some that feature cartoon or literary characters. Are they the pinnacle of numismatic art? No. But not every coin needs to be serious either.