Pop Culture & Coins Unite! The National Coin Week 2025
What do Homer Simpson, the Olympic games, Elvis Presley, and Superman have in common? They’ve all been featured, or will soon be featured, on coins. This year’s annual National Coin Week, April 20-26, 2025, explores the fascinating ways pop culture influences money.
U.S. Mint’s proposed Superman coin. Image: ANA
The nonprofit American Numismatic Association, based in Colorado Springs, Colo., has sponsored National Coin Week since 1924. This year’s theme is “Iconic Change: Pop Culture & Coins Unite!”
“Coins are not just money,” explained Thomas J. Uram of Pennsylvania, president of the American Numismatic Association (ANA). “They’re pop culture time capsules. From superheroes to sci-fi, sports legends to blockbuster movies, coins have captured the icons we love. National Coin Week 2025 celebrates the surprising ways money and pop culture come together.”
This year, the United States Mint will begin producing collectible coins and medals featuring three iconic DC superheroes “who reflect American values and culture,” according to the Mint. Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman will be the first characters featured.
“In recent years, other countries have produced coins depicting pop culture themes, such as Homer Simpson on coins struck by the Perth Mint for Tuvalu; Harry Potter, John Lennon, and Paddington Bear featured on various coins made by the Royal Mint in the United Kingdom; and Elvis Presley on coins for Gibraltar made by the Dublin Mint,” said Kim Kiick, American Numismatic Association executive director.
Perth Mint’s Homer Simpson coin. Image: ANA
“Many countries including the United States produce coins for the summer and winter Olympics as well as other sporting events. The U.S. has also made coins honoring basketball, baseball, and Jackie Robinson,” she said.
“Money is history you can hold in your hands. Each coin and banknote ever produced has a story to tell, from the first ancient coins struck 2,600 years ago to coins and currency made today around the world,” explained Uram. “National Coin Week is the perfect time to celebrate the history and learn the stories.”
Various contests and activities are taking place during National Coin Week, including one presented by ANA President Uram. Those who correctly identify all the Mint engraver initials on a challenge coin produced by Uram will be entered into a drawing. Prizes include gold and silver coins. Learn more about the contest.
Observed every third week of April, National Coin Week was established a century ago to attract the general public to the enjoyable hobby of coin collecting.
