Out of the Shadow: The Golden and Silver Ages of Comics in Numismatics

May 14, 2026, 12pm MT

“Truth, Justice, and the American Way.”
“With great power comes great responsibility.”
Or perhaps: “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!”

These timeless catchphrases, born from the earliest days of pulp, comic, and radio adventures, have echoed far beyond their pages and broadcasts—transcended into lasting emblems of strength, virtue, and the American spirit.This presentation explores the origin stories of comics in numismatics, uncovering how coins, tokens, and medals reflected the popular culture of their time—and how they continue to inspire collectors today.

Robert Penn began his numismatic journey in California during the 1990s, where an early fascination with history and collecting grew into a lifelong pursuit. Currently, he serves as talent relations manager for Phoenix Fan Fusion, a major pop culture convention in Arizona. He is a researcher and specialist in Columbiana and exonumia. He contributed to the American Numismatic Association, both as a competitive exhibitor and as a presenter in the NumismaTalks series. He is a life member of the American Numismatic Association and a member of The Medal Collectors of America, where he is a regular contributor and serves as auction correspondent. He is also the author of Striking History: The U.S. Mint at the Chicago World’s Fair.