TL;DR: The U.S. Mint unveiled the 2025 Wonder Woman coin and medal designs—the heroine’s debut in the new Comic Art Coin and Medal Program—at the ANA World’s Fair of Money. The lineup, scheduled for release this fall, includes a 1/2-ounce 24K gold coin, 2.5-ounce .999 silver medal, 1-ounce .999 silver medal, and later clad medals. Art direction comes from Chief Engraver Joseph F. Menna (obverse) and Medallic Artist Phebe Hemphill (reverse). The program is multi-year and officially licensed with DC; Superman launched the series in July and Batman joins Wonder Woman this fall.
Why this matters now
Modern U.S. Mint programs succeed when they combine great art, cultural resonance, and clear product tiers. The Comic Art initiative checks those boxes—and arrives amid strong crossover interest from pop-culture, comics, and bullion audiences. At the ANA show in Oklahoma City, the Mint publicly shared finalized artwork for Wonder Woman(and Batman), signaling that the inaugural Superman tranche was only the opening move. Acting Director Kristie McNally framed the series as “a tribute to the enduring power of storytelling,” emphasizing intergenerational appeal—a telling message for a product line designed to bring new collectors into the hobby.
“By honoring these legendary characters on coins and medals, we’re connecting generations through art, history, and imagination.” — Kristie McNally, Acting Director, U.S. Mint.
The program at a glance
- Formats: 1/2-oz 24K gold coin, 2.5-oz silver medal, 1-oz silver medal; clad medals follow later. The gold and the 2.5-oz silver are limited, while the 1-oz silver and clad carry no fixed mintages (demand-driven).
- Art & process: Final designs pass through CCAC and CFA review before the Treasury Secretary approves them; Wonder Woman’s obverse and reverse were rendered by Joseph F. Menna (also sculpted) and Phebe Hemphill(reverse design; sculpted by Menna).
- Rollout cadence: Superman released in July; Wonder Woman and Batman debut this fall; future characters were previewed for 2026 (Green Lantern, Robin, Supergirl) and 2027 (The Flash, Batgirl, Aquaman).
H2: 2025 Wonder Woman Coin and Medal Designs—Iconography & Specs
Obverse (heads): Wonder Woman launches forward, shield in one hand and the Lasso of Truth in the other, against stylized flag stripes—a nod to her WWII-era costume and the “LIBERTY” legend above. Chief Engraver Joseph F. Menna created and sculpted the design.
Reverse (tails): A global motif—Wonder Woman poised above Earth with three doves symbolizing peace, equality, and justice—designed by Phebe Hemphill and sculpted by Menna.
Planned formats at launch:
Product | Composition | Weight | Mintage posture | Audience fit |
---|---|---|---|---|
24K Gold Coin | .9999 fine gold | 1/2 troy oz | Limited | Premium collectors; numismatic gold buyers |
Silver Medal | .999 fine silver | 2.5 oz | Limited | Art-first buyers; display pieces |
Silver Medal | .999 fine silver | 1 oz | No fixed mintage | Broad entry point; giftable |
Clad Medal | Copper-nickel | 1.2 in. (typical) | No fixed mintage | Budget collectors; youth outreach |
Program framework per U.S. Mint announcements; exact household limits and on-sale dates are published with the product pages near release. |
H2: 2025 Wonder Woman Coin and Medal Designs—Market Context & Case Studies
The Mint is courting a new generation of buyers who grew up with DC films, shows, and graphic novels, while giving seasoned numismatists serious sculpture by Menna and Hemphill. That blend mirrored July’s Superman debut, which saw brisk early sales across gold and silver formats according to trade media and Mint communications.
Three takeaways from Superman’s start that likely carry over to Wonder Woman:
- Tiered demand: The 1-oz silver medals draw the broadest pool, while the limited 2.5-oz silver and gold attract type collectors and top-grade chasers.
- Cross-market appeal: Licensed comic art products pull in non-numismatic fans—especially when releases coincide with conventions or media buzz.
- Subscription & sales centers: The Mint opened subscriptions for the series and offered first products through Philadelphia, Denver, and D.C. sales centers—channels that reduce website bottlenecks and help casual buyers.
Balanced perspective: benefits and risks
Pros
- Artistic pedigree: Menna’s and Hemphill’s involvement ensures sculptural quality aligned with core U.S. Mint standards, not “novelty token” aesthetics.
- Program clarity: Defined formats, explicit licensing with Warner Bros. Discovery, and a multi-year roadmapbuild collector confidence and long-term set potential.
- On-ramp for newcomers: Super-hero iconography invites first-time buyers; medals avoid face-value constraints yet preserve artistry and metal choices.
Risks
- Premium vs. metal: These are numismatic/collector pieces; price performance depends on sustained interest, not bullion moves.
- License cycles: Pop-culture popularity can be episodic; secondary-market premiums often concentrate on first year/first character and standout art.
- Grade chasing: Modern proofs/medals can show hairlines or minute contact—sight-unseen buying for “70” labels carries overpayment risk.
Collecting strategies (for different audiences)
For U.S. coin collectors:
- Anchor on the 24K gold or 2.5-oz silver if you want the limited items with the best long-run scarcity profile; verify household limits at launch.
- If budget-conscious, the 1-oz silver provides the same art at a lower entry price; watch subscriptions to avoid day-one rush.
For industry professionals (dealers, graders):
- Expect cross-category submissions from comic fans unfamiliar with numismatic grading. Provide education on surface care and packaging.
- Monitor sell-through velocity and Mintage/Limit updates at the product page; these influence secondary pricing in the first 60–90 days.
For coin investors:
- Treat Wonder Woman as thematic numismatics, not bullion. Focus on first-year status, artist pairings, and documented limits to separate signal from hype.
- If flipping, your window is early. If holding, curate full-character sets (Superman–Wonder Woman–Batman) for narrative value.
For the general audience & numismatists:
- This is a teachable collection: tie purchases to biographies, comic history, and U.S. Mint design processes. The CCAC site and Mint releases are excellent primers on how national coin/medal art is made.
Design deep-dive: storytelling choices that collectors notice
- Kinetic obverse: The forward-leap pose with shield/Lasso of Truth communicates motion and agency—a visual language consistent with modern U.S. Mint heroic themes (dynamic figure, clear icon, bold legend).
- Global reverse: Earth-and-doves brings peace/equality/justice to the foreground—values long linked to the character—creating a timeless rather than film-specific reference. That matters for evergreen collectability.
- Engraving continuity: Having Menna sculpt both sides helps unify relief and finish across formats, a detail advanced collectors notice in hand.
Comparison: Wonder Woman vs. Superman vs. Batman (2025)
Aspect | Wonder Woman (Fall 2025) | Superman (July 2025) | Batman (Fall 2025) |
---|---|---|---|
Reveal | ANA World’s Fair of Money, OKC | Pre-launch press & on-sale 7/24 | Revealed alongside WW at ANA |
Formats | 1/2-oz gold; 2.5-oz & 1-oz silver; clad | Same format family | Same format family |
Art leads | Menna (obv & sculpt), Hemphill (rev) | Program framework per Mint | To be published with product pages |
Early reception | High anticipation (WW’s first in series) | “Brisk” early sales noted in trade press | High DC fanbase crossover |
Licensing | DC / Warner Bros. Discovery (official) | Same | Same |
Sources: U.S. Mint releases and trade coverage. |
Pricing, limits, and where to buy
- Official source: USMint.gov product pages (often with subscriptions for recurring issues). Early characters may also be sold at Mint sales centers in Philadelphia, Denver, and Washington, D.C. on/near launch day.
- Limits: Expect household limits on day one for the limited formats (gold, 2.5-oz silver). No fixed mintage for 1-oz silver/clad means ongoing availability depends on demand and production capacity.
- Secondary market: Premiums typically peak launch week and normalize as graded inventory arrives. Track auction comps rather than list prices when budgeting.
Program roadmap (beyond 2025)
The Mint outlined the next six characters: Green Lantern, Robin, and Supergirl in 2026; The Flash, Batgirl, and Aquaman in 2027—a clear signal that this is a multi-year commitment, not a one-off novelty. For set builders, that roadmap enables pre-planning for consistent display and budget.
FAQs
Is Wonder Woman a coin or a medal?
Both. The program issues a 24K gold coin (legal tender) and silver/clad medals (no face value). Formats mirror the Superman release.
Who made the designs?
Joseph F. Menna (Chief Engraver) crafted and sculpted the obverse and sculpted the reverse, which was designed by Phebe Hemphill.
When can I buy them?
This fall (exact dates and household limits post on the Mint’s product pages shortly before launch). Subscriptions may be available for certain medals.
How do approvals work?
Candidate art goes to the CCAC and CFA for recommendations; the Treasury Secretary makes final selections in coordination with the Mint and the license holder.
Will early issues be more valuable?
First-year, first-character releases often command stronger premiums—Superman has shown healthy demand—but long-term value depends on limits, grade, and sustained collector interest.
Conclusion: A modern crossover built on serious engraving
The 2025 Wonder Woman coin and medal designs bring one of pop culture’s most enduring icons to U.S. Mint sculpture with clear product tiers, credible artistry, and a multi-year roadmap. Whether you’re a registry competitor, a dealer seeking fresh inventory, or a reader who simply loves the character, this release offers a smart on-ramp—especially if you align expectations with the nature of licensed, modern numismatics.