But I just now noticed. Apparently the Mint is planning on issuing the Comic Art medals in copper/nickel clad, in sets that have all 3 of a given year's medals. This August they're releasing as a set the copper/nickel versions of 2025's medals (Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman). I'm hoping they're not too overpriced (but not holding my breath) but part of my collector brain will probably make me get these unless the prices are completely insane. If they're only somewhat eccentric lol will probably have to get them. I certainly can't justify getting the full collection of these in silver or gold. I got the 1 oz silver Superman before they jacked up the prices, but that's probably the only one I'll be getting in silver. I know a lot of people here are not huge fans of these, or the modern Mint in general, but thought I'd mention it just in case someone here might care.
I honestly don't think it's a bad thing the Mint is expanding its horizons, and I think pop culture is an important part of US history too. Perhaps not a popular opinion around here. But hey, buy what you like, don't buy what you don't like. My main complaint with the Mint these days isn't what they're making, but how much they're charging for it. I can understand gold and silver being more expensive but they've seriously jacked up the prices on everything else too.
We'll see whether they start bringing out novelty coin shapes as well. I wouldn't be completely surprised to see a T-shaped planchet.
Yes, they did learn a thing or two from Cook Island and other mints: People will pay ridiculously high prices for what strikes their fancy. No, I have no interest in such, but I have no criticism for those who do, and if the mint charges too much, people will stop buying. It's simple economics. Circulation coinage supplies an economic need, as does, to some extent, bullion. Everything else they make--proofs, mint sets, commemoratives, medals, etc.--is just merchandise they make for a profit, just like Disney or sports teams. They sell it to those who want it (or think they can re-sell it) for the maximum they think they can get. Their cost is low, their margin in high. Not bad, really for a government agency. Few other parts of the federal government run on their own profits instead of taxes.
There was a time, not that long ago (2009) where they realized that they had too many products out, the market was saturated, and sales were suffering as a result, so they tried to trim the catalog. (Sadly casualties of this trimming were fractional gold Buffaloes, and fractional American platinum eagles. Honestly I think there's still demand for such.) If they charge more than the market will bear, prices will have to come down eventually. I don't think the Comic Art medals are a bad idea in general; they have a potential to bring more people into the hobby, if the price isn't too high for the market to bear. I think they cost too much, but people are buying them. I think a lot of people buying them may be fans of the subject matter that don't even typically collect coins in general. I'm actually happy to see them try out new ideas as long as it doesn't get to the point they're doing ridiculous things like Simpsons donuts and beer cans. There's certainly room for a little variety. I swear it's like movie franchises sometimes: people will complain about the Mint changing too much, but also complain when they don't change enough. But people are definitely buying up what they're selling for the most part, so they must be doing something right.
