2026 Coin & Medal Concepts Feature Green Lantern Recommended by U.S. Mint

In 2026, comic book fans and coin collectors will have a reason to celebrate. Candidate designs for a 2026 release in the U.S. Mint’s Comic Art Coin and Medal Program, featuring one of DC Comics’ most legendary heroes, Green Lantern, have been officially unveiled and reviewed.

The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) examined the proposed designs on September 16, 2025, followed by the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) on September 18, 2025. Both panels reached an agreement on which obverse design should represent the hero, but their preferences split when it came to the reverse.

Green Lantern will be one of three superheroes honored by the Mint in 2026, alongside Robin and Supergirl, extending the program that launched in 2025 with Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman.

Recommended Designs for U.S. Mint 2026 Green Lantern Coin

The recommended U.S. Mint 2026 Green Lantern coin and medal designs focus on the $50 gold coin, with a shared obverse design endorsed by both CCAC and CFA. However, the reverse designs divided opinions, with each panel favoring a different version.

The same Green Lantern designs, minus some required inscriptions, will also be adapted for companion silver and clad medals. This ensures collectors have access to different formats while preserving a unified artistic vision.

The Comic Art Coin and Medal Program

The Comic Art Coin and Medal Program is an ambitious collaboration between the U.S. Mint and Warner Bros. Discovery. Launched in 2025, it celebrates nine iconic DC superheroes over multiple years.

• The first series (2025) featured Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, with collector coins and medals that immediately captured attention.
• The second series (2026) will spotlight Green Lantern, Robin, and Supergirl.
• Future years will showcase additional heroes, ensuring the program expands into a collectible journey for both comic fans and numismatists.

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Coin Formats and Specifications

Just like the 2025 offerings, the 2026 lineup will include a variety of collectible options:

• 1/2-ounce 24K gold $50 coins
• 2.5-ounce silver medals
• 1-ounce silver medals
• 1.2-inch clad medals

Each superhero will be represented by a shared obverse and reverse design across all formats. The medals differ slightly, as they do not require the inscriptions necessary on coins. For example:

• No dates on 1-ounce silver and clad medals (since they aren’t tied to a specific year of issue).
• Absence of inscriptions like “In God We Trust” or “E PLURIBUS UNUM” on medals.
• Replacement inscriptions such as “Green Lantern” at the top and “Honorable and Powerful” at the bottom.

This allows the medals to highlight artistry while the coins retain their formal legal-tender identity.

Green Lantern Obverse Designs

The obverse of a coin refers to its “heads” side, and for the 2026 Green Lantern designs, this features John Stewart, one of Earth’s most respected and iconic Green Lanterns.

• Design O-03 emerged as the overall favorite, endorsed unanimously by both CCAC and CFA. Interestingly, Warner Bros. Discovery listed it as their second preference, while their first choice was O-01.
• The selected design captures the strength, discipline, and courage of John Stewart, who has stood as a beacon of willpower in the DC Universe.

Collectors will appreciate the fact that the medal versions share the same obverse artwork. However, they omit the inscription “In God We Trust” and, on the smaller medal versions, also exclude the 2026 date.

This approach ensures the medals maintain artistic freedom while the coins follow official minting guidelines.

Green Lantern Reverse Designs

While the obverse achieved consensus, the reverse sparked debate. Several designs were considered:

• CCAC selected R-03, which was also Warner Bros. Discovery’s top preference. This design depicts Green Lantern’s raised fist with his power ring emitting a glowing beam of light. It’s a bold and dramatic image that emphasizes Stewart’s strength and the limitless potential of willpower.
• CFA favored R-05, the second-highest vote-getter for CCAC. This reverse features a fist and power ring emerging through the Green Lantern symbol, with a background construct representing Stewart’s engineering expertise.

Both designs powerfully capture the essence of Green Lantern—courage, will, and creativity. The ultimate decision between R-03 and R-05 highlights how much thought goes into aligning art, symbolism, and storytelling for a collectible coin.

Why Green Lantern is a Perfect Choice for the Program

Choosing Green Lantern for the Comic Art Coin and Medal Program is both symbolic and strategic:

• Cultural Icon: Since his debut in 1940 (Alan Scott) and later the introduction of John Stewart in 1971, Green Lantern has embodied justice, courage, and diversity in the superhero universe.
• Representation: John Stewart is not only a beloved Green Lantern but also one of DC’s most groundbreaking Black superheroes, inspiring generations of fans.
• Symbol of Willpower: The Green Lantern ring represents the power of human will and imagination, themes that resonate deeply with collectors and fans alike.
• Expanding Appeal: Following Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, Green Lantern continues the program’s balance of well-known icons while broadening representation.

Collectibility and Market Excitement

Collectors are eagerly anticipating the 2026 Green Lantern releases for several reasons:

• Limited Mintages: As with Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, the Green Lantern coins and medals are expected to have carefully managed mintages, increasing rarity.
• Comic and Numismatic Crossover: These coins attract not only coin collectors but also comic book enthusiasts, creating a wider audience and higher demand.
• Artistic Value: Each design is a piece of art, blending comic storytelling with historic coinage traditions.
• Investment Potential: Gold and silver coins in particular appeal to investors as much as collectors, offering long-term value.

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Looking Ahead: Robin and Supergirl

Green Lantern won’t stand alone in 2026. Robin and Supergirl are also slated for release, continuing the program’s promise of celebrating diverse and beloved DC characters.

• Robin: The ultimate sidekick who evolved into a hero in his own right.
• Supergirl: A symbol of hope and empowerment, representing resilience and strength.

These designs will add even more depth to the collection, making 2026 another exciting year for both DC fans and coin enthusiasts.

Conclusion

The unveiling of the 2026 Green Lantern coin and medal designs marks an exciting chapter in the U.S. Mint’s Comic Art Coin and Medal Program. With John Stewart’s heroic image on the obverse and two powerful reverse options under consideration, these coins promise to blend numismatic craftsmanship with pop culture history.

For collectors, this is more than just a coin—it’s a piece of American artistry, a celebration of comic book heritage, and a symbol of willpower and courage embodied by Green Lantern himself.

As we await the final minting, one thing is certain: the 2026 Green Lantern coins and medals will shine brightly, not only in collections but also in the hearts of fans who believe in the power of will, imagination, and justice.

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