Poll Question: Do you think having pop culture characters on U.S. coins will help bring in younger collectors? Why or why not?

If they are images on coins of modern times, I would think so, but the ones that keep being shown are Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. Those characters are from when I grew up; I don't think today’s young ones care much about Superman, etc.

Name and Address withheld

Adding these coins to circulation may help attract the younger crowd. I do believe they would also need more overall background on numismatics.  A feel for the different metals, design changes, etc., might help attract them.

Ken, Germantown, Ohio

Yes, younger collectors will happen if comic book characters are on coins. Question: “Do the characters need to be dead, or can present-day figures be included?”

Larry Dean, Shawnee, Kansas

My answer is most probably NOT. This is a stupid gimmick that has been used by many countries and so-called "countries" for many years.  All of these NCLT (Non-Circulating Legal Tender) "coins" are just a money trap to get it out of the hands of collectors and into the hands of the greedy. They are always overpriced and never hold their market or metallic value.

It is saddening that the United States Mint has fallen into this trap, but it is not surprising, given the pathetic themes on the coins for the last few years. 

I see zero value in these pop culture "coins," and I hope that no younger collector falls into this expensive scam.

Oded Paz, Arco, Idaho

You asked if superheroes on coins will help improve and bring younger members to coin collecting. My answer is no, not at the price that they are offering them. Younger collectors do not have that much disposable income and would find this a steep hill to climb.

Meason, Address withheld

No. Coin collecting is not buying things that do not circulate. Coin collecting should originate from pocket change, which is when you see something so different or interesting that it gives you the desire to know more about our past coin designs. 

If you want Batman and Wonder Woman to be exciting, they first need to be on circulating coins for ALL to see. Otherwise, these non-circulating commemoratives are just a money-making gimmick for the mint with no regard for collectors. They could lobby Congress to put different designs on coins that might appeal to a younger sect. But minting coins that no one ever sees is ridiculous. The non-circulating commemorative coin program started in 1982 should include the same theme on a circulating coin, and then maybe the mint could tie the two together.

Wayne Pearson, Union City, Ind.

Seems to me that hero coins would appeal to the older generation, bring back the good ol' days. Younger buyers prefer the Zoombucks silver rounds.

Name and Address withheld

I think this program "cheapens" numismatic culture. I can understand the desire to rope in new collectors, but these superhero characters seem to be overplayed in our culture. The USPS has done a program similar to this with stamps, and exactly where has that gotten them?

Justin, Wisconsin

There might be some attraction for general circulation. If it is overpriced and minted for collectors only, then an emphatic, 'No!' Young people generally cannot afford the way-too-numerous mint offerings now, and I doubt there are enough older gift-givers to fuel the collecting passion.

Gary Burhop, Address withheld

I think it will make more collectors happy, and they will sell out of these...the same old U.S. Mint coins are boring.

Bill McNelley, Wakefield, Mass.