“Faster than a speeding bullet. More powerful than a locomotive. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.” If those words bring back fond memories of spending Saturdays with one of the most iconic superheroes, then you’ll want to get your hands on this Superman coin. Superman wasn’t the first superhero, but he is considered one of the most recognizable and it was his launch that started the Golden Age of Comic Books in the late 1930s. The Superman 50-cent coin was minted to honour the 75th anniversary of Superman.

Why Superman?

Superman was the best-selling superhero in American comic books for almost 50 years, from his advent until the 1980s. Although Superman started out in comic books, he also appeared in a newspaper comic strip for a number of years. In 1940, he had his own radio program that ran for 11 years. He was so popular that he made his debut on the screen in 1941 in theatrical shorts. In 1951, George Reeves starred in the first feature-length film that featured Superman.

Christopher Reeves (no relation to George) starred as the superhero in the first big-budget film in 1978. It was a box office success that opened the door for more superhero movies, not only featuring Superman, but Batman, Spider-man and probably even the Marvel Avengers movies. In 2013, the film series was rebooted under the Man of Steel branding, starring Henry Cavill. The DC Universe has expanded into many popular movies including Wonder Woman and Aquaman. Superman was the first and did it the best. He’s also been popular on television and in video games.

The Golden Age of Comic Books ran from 1937 to 1950, and Superman is still its hero. When comic book sales declined, Superman was one of the few characters that survived and then re-flourished. There are many who believe that Captain America, Captain Marvel and many other characters outside the DC Universe were inspired and even stolen from the Superman character. Mighty Mouse and Underdog are both parodies of Superman. Superman has crossed into other cultures, most notably Japan, which has its own proliferation of superheroes.

The Archetypal Superhero and Alter Ego  

Superman’s alter ego, Clark Kent, and Superman himself have become ingrained in pop culture. You see the references in art, music and literature. We use the word “kryptonite” to describe something that can weaken someone. Bugs Bunny parodied Superman by eating fortified carrots and stepping into a phone booth to emerge as a U.S. Marine. Is there a more iconic natural superman than a Marine? Monty Python parodied Superman with a Bicycle Repairman. When Clark Kent is referenced, the image that comes to mind is the mild-mannered man in a bland-coloured suit who represents everything Superman is not.

Collect Coins to Commemorate History

This Superman coin celebrates 75 years of comic book history that started with a superhero who came to earth to fight for justice and the American Way. It’s a special coin that can introduce you or your family to coin collecting as a way to get interested in history. Superman may have been a character on a comic book page, but his creators were real people who wrote stories and drew out the narrative amid real-life events. As you learn more about Superman, you learn more about his influences, some real and some imagined. Superman may be a fictional character, but he’s someone that kids and adults alike look up to and want to emulate.

Coins stand the test of time. Superman comic books may fade and fall apart, but a coin is sturdy and durable. The Superman coin is only available from the Royal Canadian Mint and it comes with a collectible stamp from Canada Post. Collect it now.