Superman™ is one of the iconic images of the 20th century and beyond, and often seen as the greatest superhero ever created. This new coin issued by the Royal Canadian Mint is a $20 denomination featuring selective full colour, and weighs just over one full ounce of pure silver. Mintage is limited to just 10,000 coins, and previous Superman coins have all sold out very quickly and appreciated in value in the secondary market. As a pure silver coin issued by the Royal Canadian Mint, this item is GST/HST exempt.
Released in 2011, the "supersized" Superman Action Comics #1 presented a new, updated take on Superman as part of the relaunch of DC Comics titles. Known as The New 52, the titles within each series offer a more modern take on its slate of characters through reimagined storylines, backstories and elements of their costumes.
The Design:
The reverse image recreates the 2011 cover of Action Comics #1, and features Superman as he runs from the authorities through the streets of Metropolis. The original artwork introduced a more modern take on a young Superman; wearing denim jeans and boots, Superman still maintains elements from his traditional costume with a blue shirt, red cape and the iconic 'S' shield emblazoned across his chest. Vibrant colour enhances the engraved portrait of Superman, even adding a red glow to the streaks caused by bullets that do little to slow him down. A series of concentric circles frame the reverse, adding depth to the overall design and creating the illusion that Superman is racing out from the coin at breakneck speed towards the viewer.
If you look hard, you will see some additional subtleties, including a cameo appearance by the character Pandora, and Lois Lane's zip-up shirt that reads "Keystone City"—the home of another superhero: The Flash!
Meticulous engraving replicates the finer details of the original artwork—including the city streets and the pursuing authorities in the background—while brilliant colour infuses the reverse with energy and helps recreate the look and feel of the original artwork. Advanced engraving techniques are used to frame the image within a series of concentric circles to create added depth and motion to the design, creating the impression that Superman is racing straight towards the viewer.
Superman:
Since his first appearance in 1938, millions of readers and movie-goers have been captivated by the adventures of Clark Kent and his secret identity as Superman. Safe from the destruction of his home planet Krypton, the infant space traveller was discovered near Smallville, Kansas, by Jonathan and Martha Kent, who raised him as their son. They instilled in him the strong values and beliefs that compel him to use his superhuman abilities for the greater good. As an adult living in the big city of Metropolis, Clark keeps his powers a secret thanks to his persona as a mild-mannered reporter; but as Superman, he becomes a powerful symbol of valour, strength and justice while battling some of the greatest villains of all time.
