Batman Returns! Mint XXI debuts a high-end silver coin featuring the classic comic book superhero

Few characters in popular culture need as little introduction as the ultra-iconic DC Comics superhero, Batman. The Dark Knight has been the subject of thousands of comics, novels, TV series and movies, to the degree that he’s been impossible to miss. The Dark Knight has also been a regular feature in the coin world for a few years now, most notably from, of course, the New Zealand Mint.

In typical NZ Mint style, there’s been a wide mix of silver foils, coloured coins and bullion, so what route does Mint XXI take? They take the high road and bring us something employing their usual flair for the classic. The look eschews the flashy movies and television incarnations, instead choosing, thankfully, the classic look from the comics. Drawn in that iconic, sweeping style, making full dramatic use of the cape, it’s a fine effort, managing to remain both distinctly Batman, and distinctly Mint XXI at the same time.

We particularly like the setting of the character, with the Gotham Harbour skyline in the background laid out askew, as if in a comic panel, with neat touches like searchlights beaming into the sky in the far distance. The chest logo and title are gilded, which always looks good on an antique coin, although it does make you wonder if a sniper could possibly ever miss him…

This is a Cook Islands coin, so the ubiquitous effigy of Queen Elizabeth II is in evidence, with a fading dot pattern covering the background field, and all inscribed issue details restrained in a border. Would’ve been nice to see her overlaid over the lens of a searchlight with the bat signal behind, perhaps, but we’re not sure the ‘Palace’ would approve!

Packaging looks neat and heavily themed, as befitting a higher-end two ounce silver coin, and the mintage is capped at just 1,000 pieces, which is low for the popular culture genre. A neat release and available to order now.