MARVEL COMICS: A guide to the Marvel World on coins

With the popular culture world driving new collectors into our hobby, it’s fair to say the volume of new issues has grown exponentially since the first of the modern wave dropped in 2013. The superhero genre was always going to be part of that, especially since the explosive growth of the two major cinematic universes

The biggest of them, indeed the biggest movie franchise of all time, is based around Marvel Comics, and their presence is well and truly pervasive, with several producers around the world issuing under the licence, The biggest pop-culture coin producer, the New Zealand Mint, is also about to enter the arena, with a plethora of new issues, including its ‘Chibi’ range.

Like all our guides, they should be fairly comprehensive, and anything we missed, as well as new issues, will be added over time.

2023
27/08: ADDED SPIDER-MAN POSTER, ADDED AVENGERS 60TH 2 COINS
27/09: ADDED CHIBI, AVENGERS 60TH AND MANY MORE
11/10: ADDED MEGA CHIBI SERIES, SEASONS GREETINGS, AND THE MARVELS
27/10: ADDED ARC REACTOR 5OZ

2024
21/03: LOTS OF ADDITIONS TO NZ MINT RANGES
09/04: ADDED HULK COINS TO COMIX RANGES
26/07: ADDED HULK TO MARVEL CLASSICS
27/07: ADDED SPIDER-MAN VILLAINS SERIES

MARVEL BULLION (Crown Mint/Perth Mint)

2017 SPIDER-MAN

2018 BLACK PANTHER

2018 DEADPOOL

2018 THOR

2018 IRON MAN

2019 CAPTAIN AMERICA

2019 HULK

2020 VENOM

2021 WOLVERINE

A bullion series produced by the Perth Mint and distributed by Hong Kong dealer, LPM Group, this is a silver only, one-ounce series, depicting a wide mix of characters. While most of the mintage is sold encapsulated, as you’d expect from a bullion coin, 1,000 of them are distributed by the Perth Mint, and are mounted to themed blisterpacks, although no version of that was produced for the debut Spider-Man release.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS FINISH MINTAGE
$1 (Tuvalu) 31.1 grams 0.9999 silver 40.6 mm B/Uncirculated 50,000

MARVEL MINI HEROES (Crown Mint)

2021 CAPTAIN AMERICA

2021 IRON MAN

2021 BLACK PANTHER

2021 THOR

2021 LOKI

2021 DEADPOOL

2022 DOCTOR STRANGE

2022 BLACK WIDOW

2022 SPIDER-MAN

2022 FALCON

A 24-coin series featuring Marvel superheroes, that builds up into a set that can be stored in two collection boxes. Each individual coin comes in a plastic blisterpack. They can be bought individually, or there is, or at least was, a subscription for them. They were originally to be issued at one-per-month, but the actual rate is much lower, actually approaching half that. As of October 2023, there have been no further releases in 2023. We can only assume the series is on hold as Crown mint have been very quiet of late.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS FINISH MINTAGE
$2 FJD (Fiji) 31.1 grams 0.999 silver Variable, circa 40.0 mm Proof, colour 2,500

MARVEL KAWAII COLLECTION (Singapore Mint)

2022 CAPTAIN AMERICA

2022 IRON MAN

2022 HULK

2021 THOR

2022 SPIDER-MAN

2022 GROOT

Very similar in style and concept to the older Crown Mint set, the Marvel Kawaii Collection recently appeared at the Singapore Mint, and is also a one-ounce silver series. These come nicely boxed, and in a display frame with a diamond orientation. The tiny mintage is attractive.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS FINISH MINTAGE
$2 NZD (Niue) 31.1 grams 0.999 silver Variable, circa 40.0 mm Proof, colour 500

MARVEL COMIX (New Zealand Mint)

2023 AMAZING FANTASY #15

2023 JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #83

2023 THE AVENGERS #1

2023 MARVEL COMICS #1

2023 INCREDIBLE HULK #1

2024 AMAZING SPIDERMAN #1

2024 INCREDIBLE HULK #181

The first Marvel Comics release from the masters of popular culture coins, this is a rectangular, coloured, one-ounce range with some neat packaging. Each coin will reproduce a classic Marvel comic cover. Similar issues are available for DC Comics, as well as movie posters from the Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Lord of the Rings franchises.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS FINISH MINTAGE
$2 NZD (Niue) 31.1 grams 0.999 silver 45.0 x 31.5 mm Proof, colour 5,000

MARVEL COMIX 2oz (New Zealand Mint)

2023 AMAZING FANTASY #15

2023 JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #83

2024 INCREDIBLE HULK #1

A pointless, two-ounce version of the one-ounce original, lacking the neat edge details of its smaller, earlier brethren.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS FINISH MINTAGE
$5 NZD (Niue) 62.2 grams 0.999 silver 36.0 x 53.0 mm Proof, colour 1,000

SPIDER-MAN VILLAINS (New Zealand Mint)

2024 GREEN GOBLIN

2024 DOC OCTOPUS

2024 SANDMAN

A pointless, two-ounce version of the one-ounce original, lacking the neat edge details of its smaller, earlier brethren.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS FINISH MINTAGE
$2 NZD (Niue) 31.1 grams 0.999 silver 36.0 x 53.0 mm Antique, colour 2,000

VARIOUS ONE-OUNCE (New Zealand Mint)

2023 INCREDIBLE HULK (A)

2023 SPIDER-MAN(B)

2023 EVERGREEN THOR

2023 SEASON’S GREETINGS

2023 THE MARVELS

The first Marvel Comics release from the masters of popular culture coins, this is a rectangular, coloured, one-ounce range with some neat packaging. Each coin will reproduce a classic Marvel comic cover. Similar issues are available for DC Comics, as well as movie posters from the Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Lord of the Rings franchises. We may split out the rectangular coins if they start to form a coherent series.

TYPE DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS FINISH MINTAGE
A $2 NZD (Niue) 31.1 grams 0.999 silver 40.0 mm Proof, colour 5,000
B $2 NZD (Niue) 31.1 grams 0.999 silver 53.0 x 36.0 mm Proof, colour 2,023

MARVEL CHIBI (New Zealand Mint)

2023 ANT-MAN

2023 THOR

2023 BLACK PANTHER

2023 IRON MAN

2023 LOKI

2023 CAPTAIN MARVEL

2023 SPIDER-MAN

2023 CAPTAIN AMERICA

2023 NICK FURY

2024 KANG THE CONQUEROR

Chibi has been quite the phenomenon for the New Zealand Mint. Despite only launching in June 2020, there are over 110 issues to date. The first big change is the addition of Marvel Comics to the range. Given the outrageous number of different characters in the MCU, this is a huge addition, and likely a very popular one. The biggest change of all is the addition of a gilded variant, eschewing colour for gold. There are no base changes to the specification, they’re still one-ounce silver coins, but it’s the way they’re offered that may be more contentious. One in ten of the mintage will be gilded, but you apparently won’t know which one you will get when you order. There’s a piece of black foam covering the box window inside, so you won’t know what you’re getting beforehand.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS FINISH MINTAGE
$2 NZD (Niue) 31.1 grams 0.999 silver varies ~ 36.0 x 28 mm Proof, colour 2,000

MARVEL MEGA CHIBI (New Zealand Mint)

2023 INCREDIBLE HULK

2023 THANOS

These are simply larger Chibi designs, with half the mintage, but lacking the gilded lottery versions.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS FINISH MINTAGE
$5 NZD (Niue) 62.2 grams 0.999 silver varies ~ 45 x 34 mm Proof, colour 999

MARVEL SHAPED BUSTS (New Zealand Mint)

2023 IRON-MAN

At the time of writing, we don’t know if this is a one-off release (unlikely, in our view), or the first in a new series of shaped bust coins. Iron Man is an ounce in weight, coloured, and struck to a proof finish. Packaging is neat, This one is designed like the comic character, rather than the movies, so we suspect that will also be the same for future releases.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS FINISH MINTAGE
$2 NZD (Niue) 31.1 grams 0.999 silver 36.0 x 29.26 mm Proof, colour 5,000

AVENGERS 60TH ANNIVERSARY (New Zealand Mint)

2023 CAPTAIN AMERICA

2023 THOR

2023 BLACK PANTHER

2023 BLACK WIDOW

2023 CAPTAIN MARVEL

2023 HULK

2023 IRON MAN

SET COLLECTION

Rooted firmly in the comic books rather than the movies, this series of seven wedge-shaped coins is a celebration of sixty years since the biggest team in comics had their debut – The Avengers. Each of the issues showcases one of the characters in their original 1960s form, and it’s good to them in this form after a decade of Hollywood stamping its vision on them.

Each of them tips the scales at a troy ounce of silver, and each comes boxed in individually themed packaging. However, buyers of the Captain America coin will get a free, circular collectors box which will hold all seven coins.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS FINISH MINTAGE
$2 NZD (Niue) 31.1 grams 0.999 silver 36.0 x 29.26 mm Proof, colour 5,000

VARIOUS ITEMS 5 OZ (New Zealand Mint)

2023 CAPTAIN AMERICA SHIELD

2023 IRON MAN ARC REACTOR

Looks like a domed reproduction of Captain America’s shield. Not the first time this has been done, but at five ounces, bigger than most.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS FINISH MINTAGE
$?? NZD (Niue) 155.5 grams 0.999 silver ?? mm Proof, colour ??

MARVEL ‘CLASSIC’ (New Zealand Mint)

2023 CAPTAIN AMERICA

2023 MIGHTY THOR

2023 BLACK PANTHER

2023 SPIDER-MAN

2024 IRON MAN

2024 INCREDIBLE HULK

They look to follow a similar pattern to the mint’s ‘Classic’ ranges, with a mix of formats in both silver and gold. The silver issues are coloured, while the gold pair are clean-struck.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS FINISH MINTAGE
$2 NZD (Niue) 31.1 grams 0.999 silver 40.0 mm Proof, colour 5,000
$10 NZD (Niue) 93.3 grams 0.999 silver 55.0 mm Proof, colour 1,000
$25 NZD (Niue) 7.78 grams 0.999 silver 22.0 mm Proof 500
$250 NZD (Niue) 31.1 grams 0.999 silver 32.0 mm Proof 250

MARVEL ICON COLLECTION (Crown Mint)

2019 IRON MAN

2019 SPIDER-MAN

2021 BLACK PANTHER

It isn’t just the NZ Mint producing dimensional masks of movie franchise characters, with the Crown Mint having issued their Marvel icons series since 2019. Dimensional coins with an antique finish, they pack quite a bit of fine detail into their designs. The last issue to date, Black Panther, employed colour for the first time. To top it off, the included Certificate of Authenticity is itself made of two grams of fine silver, to add to the two-ounces that make up the coin itself.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS FINISH MINTAGE
$5 (Fiji) 62.2 grams 0.999 silver circa 45.0 mm Antique 5,000

MARVEL CINEMA SERIES (Crown Mint)

(A) 2018 INFINITY WAR

(B) 2018 BLACK PANTHER

(B) 2019 CAPTAIN MARVEL

(C) 2020 AVENGERS LOGO

(B) 2020 WOLVERINE

(B) 2020 BLACK WIDOW

(D) 2021 CAPTAIN AMERICA

(B) 2022 SPIDER-MAN

A loose collection of coins, varying in weight, style and subject, they’re a mix of movies, characters and objects from across the Marvel Cinema Universe, The Captain America shield is a standout, being a one-ounce version of the earlier two-ounce coin, but in general, a fairly standard range in terms of specification.

COIN COMPOSITION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS FINISH MINTAGE
(A) $2 FJD (Fiji) 62.2 grams 0.999 silver 40.0 mm Antique, colour 2,500
(B) $2 FJD (Fiji) 31.1 grams 0.999 silver 40.0 mm Proof, colour 2,500
(C) $2 FJD (Fiji) 31.1 grams 0.999 silver 32 x 30 mm Proof, colour 1,000
(D) $2 FJD (Fiji) 62.2 grams 0.999 silver 40.0 mm Proof, colour, domed 2,500

MARVEL COMIC BOOK FOILS (Crown Mint)

TALES OF SUSPENSE #39

AMAZING FANTASY #15

AVENGERS #4

INCREDIBLE HULK #1

AVENGERS #1

AVENGERS ENDGAME POSTER

These ape the New Zealand Mint’s impressive Premium Foils in many ways, which, although primarily used for movie posters, also had a range of classic comic book covers, in that case, DC. Those were 35 grams in weight, but these are a bit thicker – coming in at two ounces. We’re going to assume the grey areas in the images are the original silver showing through, as with the NZM foils.

There were also limited runs of one-ounce gold versions made, only 10 units of each (not the Endgame poster), which we believe were exclusive to US dealer, Harvestor Investments,

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIMENSIONS FINISH MINTAGE
NONE 62.2 grams 0.999 silver 258.0 mm x 178 mm Proof, colour 1,000
NONE 31.15 grams 0.999 gold 258.0 mm x 178 mm Proof, colour 10

2014 THE AVENGERS (S&A Partners)

CAPTAIN AMERICA

CAPTAIN AMERICA TIN

THE HULK

THE HULK TIN

IRON MAN

IRON MAN TIN

THOR

THOR TIN

COLLECTION TIN EXTERIOR

COLLECTION TIN INTERIOR

The coins themselves are pretty standard affairs, being 40 mm, 0.999 silver with selective reverse side colouring, but the artwork is lifted straight from the comics, not the movies. That’s a good thing in our view, as the comics will doubtless have a longer shelf-life. Each has a custom character lenticular trading card, a die-cut stainless steel certificate, and a cloisonné lapel pin.

The packaging is brilliantly thought out, with each coin coming in its own small tin, all four of which fit in a larger collector’s tin that doubles as a lunch box. It’s nice enough for the coin collector, but this is exactly the kind of set that will bring new blood to the coin collecting market, and that’s always a good thing. Originally priced at $99.95 each, except for Captain America that came packaged in the larger tin also for $119.95, a deal containing all four coins in the collectors tin runs to $399.95.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION (PER COIN)
DIMENSIONS FINISH MINTAGE
$2 NZD (Niue) 31.1 grams 0.999 silver 40.7 mm Proof, colour 3,500 sets

2015 AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON (S&A Partners)

INCREDIBLE HULK

MIGHTY THOR

IRON MAN

CAPTAIN AMERICA

ULTRON

CAPTAIN AMERICA COA

IRON MAN COA

HULK COA

THOR COA

Five of the biggest characters in this blockbuster movie have been singled out for inclusion in a new five-coin set of 1oz silver coins, a sequel to the four-coin set that came out last year, also from the US-based Sunshine Mint. This year, the coins are only available as a complete set, but come with the added bonus of a Certificate of Authenticity incorporating fabric from costumes used in the movie. Four are available, Hulk, Thor, Iron-Man and one that seems to be less widely available, Captain America.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION (PER COIN)
DIMENSIONS FINISH MINTAGE
$2 NZD (Niue) 31.1 grams 0.999 silver 40.7 mm Proof, colour 3,500 sets

2016 CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR (S&A Partners)

BLACK PANTHER

WINTER SOLDIER

FALCON

BLACK WIDOW

DOUBLE OUNCE

DOUBLE OBVERSE

SILVER CERTIFICATE

SET TIN

The Sunshine Mint have a history with Marvel-themed coins going back a few years with such sets as Superman and the Avengers, so this isn’t new territory for the mint. There are certainly no surprises with most of the coins, a simple coloured coin carrying character images on their reverse faces. A pair of them are Ying and Yang inspired, locking together to form a fight scene. All told, there are six, one-ounce coins in the set, although making five in design, each individually packaged in a brightly decorated tin showing scenes of the character within.

They were sold separately, except for the shaped pair sold together. Alternatively, and saving a decent amount of money, you could purchase all five tins as a set, all packaged in a metal lunch box tin, heavily themed all over with images based on the movie. This sold for $379.99, so for just $30 more than the five basic coins, you got the two-ounce split pair, and the fancy packaging that still comes with the individual tins as well. On top of that, there’s a 2g silver Certificate of Authenticity included, as well as two big movie posters.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION (PER COIN)
DIMENSIONS FINISH MINTAGE
$1 Fiji 31.1 grams 0.999 silver 40.7 mm Proof, colour 3,000 sets

2017 GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 (S&A Partners)

STAR-LORD

DRAX

GAMORA

ROCKET

GROOT

SET TIN

GROOT MEDALLION

TEAM MEDALLION

This set comprises five fine-silver coins, each weighing half an ounce and with selective colouring on the reverse face. The employment of CIT’s superb smartminting technology means that despite the low weight, they still manage to make 38.6 mm in diameter, so the price is lower, but the look is the same. They’re said to be struck in an ultra high-relief format, but that isn’t visible on the official images. All the coins are issued for the Cook Islands, and so carry the Queen’s effigy on the obverse.

Presentation is always the key with movie memorabilia, and this doesn’t disappoint. A lunchbox-sized lithographed tin holds a selection of extras. Each coin comes in its own unique cylindrical tin which are laid out inside the big one, along with two label pins, one with Groot on it, the other with the team logo. A large 33 x 23″ movie poster is also included, along with a certificate of authenticity.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION (PER COIN)
DIMENSIONS FINISH MINTAGE
$2 Cook Islands 15.5 grams 0.999 silver 38.6 mm Proof, colour 3,000 sets

2017 GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY 2 (1Kg) (S&A Partners)

REVERSE

BOX

CERTIFICATE

Struck in an ounce of fine 0.999 silver, this chunky beast is as big a popular culture themed coin as you’re liable to find and is billed as the first fully coloured proof silver kilo coin to be released worldwide. The reverse face has a brightly coloured image of the main characters from the movie, with Star-Lord in the centre, surrounded by Drax, Gamora, Rocket and Baby Groot. Apart from the film logo/name, the main face is clear of inscriptions. The obverse carries the Ian Rank Broadley effigy of Queen Elizabeth II along with all the required inscriptions.

Packaging looks decent, the monochrome movie poster forming the basis of the design. A slide out tray holds the coin, much like some New Zealand Mint releases. The certificate is pretty cool, styled like an old cassette tape with a handwritten label. Mintage is limited to just 250 pieces, although the official distributor, Harvestor Investments, has claimed that only 50 were ever struck. We can believe it.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION (PER COIN)
DIMENSIONS FINISH MINTAGE
$2 Cook Islands 15.5 grams 0.999 silver 38.6 mm Proof, colour 3,000 sets

2016 CAPTAIN AMERICA SHIELD (S&A Partners)

REVERSE

OBVERSE

BOX & SILVER COA

At 75 years old, this birthday demanded something more than just another coloured silver coin. Depicting Captain America’s ultra-iconic shield, the domed strike is a perfect facsimile, brightly coloured, and clean of anything except the Marvel copyright. The obverse features the Fijian emblem, along with inscriptions showing the issuer, denomination, composition and date. It’s a standard obverse design, the theming being restricted to the reverse face.

Struck in two ounces of fine silver, this has the benefit of increasing the diameter of the coin up past 50 mm, a welcome boost. Packaging looks very stylish, much more subtle than the Avengers sets that the same producer has released to date. The innovative fine silver certificate is present again. Mintage is set at a maximum of 7,500 sets.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION
DIMENSIONS FINISH MINTAGE
$2 Fiji 62.2 grams 0.999 silver 50.8 mm Proof, colour 7,500 sets

2017 DOCTOR STRANGE (S&A Partners)

REVERSE

PACKAGING

SILVER COA SIDE 1

SILVER COA SIDE 2

Like the superb Captain America coin, this one also goes with a domed strike. Issued for Tuvalu instead of Fiji, the obverse carries the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, something removed from Fijian issues a couple of years ago due to a change of government. Instead of going with movie scenes or character effigies, neither of which would probably sit well on a domed strike, they’ve chosen to take an iconic element of the movie and depict that. It’s a little harder to do so with Doctor Strange, as the character doesn’t quite have that level of association with an appropriate object, but the Seal of Vishanti certainly does the trick.

The seal is designed into the window that protects Doctor Strange’s base, the Sanctum Sanctorum, so watchers of the movie will recognise the coin face. Cleanly struck but with some gilded elements, the design is fresh and well suited to the coin, with the 50mm diameter a welcome bonus. Packaging looks first-class. A bamboo box inside a coloured shipper is a fine presentation, and the Certificate of Authenticity, itself made of two grams of fine silver, rounds out an expertly themed package.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION
DIMENSIONS FINISH MINTAGE
$5 TVD (Tuvalu) 62.2 grams 0.999 silver 50.9 mm Proof, colour 2,500 sets

2017 SPIDER-MAN HOMECOMING (S&A Partners)

ONE OUNCE

FIVE OUNCE

GOLD

BOX

SILVER COA

To undertake the artwork, a modern master was employed. John Mercanti joined the U.S. Mint in 1974, holding the position of Chief Engraver from 2006 until his retirement in 2010. Responsible for more successful designs than any other employee in the history of the U.S. Mint, Mercanti is most known for the eagle design on the American Silver Eagle bullion coin, and for his recent Wedge-tailed Eagle designs for the Perth Mint. His Spider-Man design is iconic, dynamic and exactly as you’d expect for the character. Fans will likely love it.

The coin is issued for Cook Islands, so features the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse. The design is common across the variants, and so is the packaging. What looks to be a solid, themed box with a slide out component will make plenty of people happy, and the certificate is serialised and themed to match.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION
DIMENSIONS FINISH MINTAGE
$5 CID (Cook Islands) 31.1 grams 0.999 silver 38.61 mm Proof 5,000
$25 CID (Cook Islands) 155.5 grams 0.999 silver 65.0 mm Proof 1,000
$200 CID (Cook Islands) 31.1 grams 0.999 gold 33.0 mm Proof 250

2013 SPIDER-MAN 50TH (S&A Partners)

REVERSE

TIN

One of the first of the new wave of precious metal superhero coins, before it turned into the tsunami of issues we have today, Spider-Man’s 50th anniversary was a good place to start. It led to S&A producing a range of anniversary coins for both the Marvel and DC Comics universes.

It’s a little basic compared to later efforts, but the themed tin and Certificate of Authenticity, are definitely signs of things to come.

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION
DIMENSIONS FINISH MINTAGE
$2 NZD (Niue) 31.1 grams 0.999 silver 40.7 mm Proof, colour 5,000