Hey gang, sorry to have missed posting last week, but it couldn’t be helped, as I found myself with an unexpected hospital stay. Everything is cool now, but could have been very, very bad. But with that said, let’s get right into this week’s Fabulous Find. This week I want to look at the 1970’s medallion/coins from Marvel Comics. These bronze, or so they were advertised as such, medallion/coins, were sold through the Marvel house ads during the 1970s. Sorry, I’ve not been able to pinpoint the exact dates for some reason.
Three coins were offered. The first, of course, featured Spider-Man, the second, the Hulk, and the third, some what surprisingly, Conan the Barbarian. But first let’s take a look at what the comic buying public would have seen in their Marvel comic of that time. I’ve found a couple of different ads in the comics, so I’ll show you them all, just because I can. The first, I believe:
1970s Spider-Man medallion ad
I think this next ad followed the first one a year or so later:
Second Marvel Comics medallion ad
It’s possible I’ve got them in reverse order, so let me know, if you know otherwise. There was even a later, or third ad I’ve found, so you get to see it too:
Third Marvel Medallion ad
Now that you’ve seen what I saw when I was buying my Marvel comics back in the seventies, now let’s take a look at the medallion/coins themselves! First up is the Spider-Man medallion, which I actually own and proudly display with my Mego Spider-Man figure from the same time period.
Spider-Man medallion
It says; “Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man” on the front and on the reverse it includes the famous quote; “With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility”. Take a look:
Spider-Man medallion rear
Next up is the Hulk medallion: The front reads; “The Incredible Hulk – The World’s Strongest Mortal”:
Hulk medallion
And the reverse has this quote; “Within Each Of Us Oft Times There Dwells A Mighty Raging Fury”. Now that’s a pretty cool quote and unlike the Spider-Man quote, I don’t think I’ve ever read that in a Marvel comic book. Take a gander:
Hulk medallion rear
Okay, there’s the first two medallion coins, now it’s time for the third one. This one, as I said earlier, features Conan the Barbarian. The front reads; Conan The Barbarian, A Thief, A Reaver, A Slayer”. Here’s the front of the medallion/coin:
Conan medallion
And now for the reverse side. The back features the following quote; “Barbarism Is The Natural State Of Mankind And Barbarism Must Ultimately Triumph”. Here it is for your viewing pleasure:
Conan medallion rear
I think these are pretty neat collectibles and wish I bought the other two back in the day. I have seen them occasionally on eBay, but I’ve not found them at a price I’m willing to pay. But maybe someday. Half the fun is the thrill of the chase. I’m sure you agree with me if you’re reading this post.
That’s it for this week’s Fabulous Find, and please be sure to come back next week for a new RETRO REVIEW, God wiling and the creek don’t rise! Till then, stay well and I’ll be seeing you …
There was a Fabulous Finds-sized hole in my life, last week! Glad you’re back and feeling better, Greg.
Thanks, Scott. I’m doing well and definitely on the right track to being healthly & back to “normal”. Life is good!
How much would a set of those go for dont they have numbers on them
Hey, Hooks. Not really sure what a set of the three medallions/coins would sell for today. I only own the Spider-Man and Conan medallions/coins. I’m still looking to pick up a Hulk! Well, I do have two Spider-Mans, so I’d be up for a trade, a Spidey for a Hulk, if anyone is interested.
In regards to them being numbered. I do not believe they were. I’ve examined my medallions/coins and can find no serial numbering. The Spider-Man is stamped as collector coin I and Conan is stamped collector coin III, if that is what you are referring to. I would assume that the Hulk one would be collector coin II.
Thanks for visiting and leaving a question/comment!
look on the top edge, mine is numbered 11397
Well,, look at that, they are serially numbered. Thank you gentlemen (Hooks & Eddie), I’ve just learned something I didn’t know!
My two (2) Spider-Man medallions are numbered 13360 & 21395. Interesting to note that the 21395 numbered medallion’s serial number is printed so that you have to read it from the reverse side, rather than the “front” side.
And my Conan medallion is numbered 449.
And for anyone else looking for their number it’s printed on the top end of the coin, rather than on on front of back of the coin/medallion.
Hi there! The spiderman medallion was originally offered in the pages of FOOM magazine number one, by itself, in 1973. It was the first item I ever sent away for through the mail (when I was nine years old).
Bruce, Thanks for the additional information on where the Spider-Man medallion/coin was first listed for sale. I’ve got a complete FOOM collection, but didn’t think to look for the ad there when I wrote up this post. It’s great to see folks still reading my old posts!
Hi I had this as a kid .The year would be around 1975,spider man had serial number 009.One of the forest minted. I have heard it goes for up to$2.000 now .Wow,I traded it for a comic,
Very nice, Kevin! That certainly was an early serial number Spidey coin you owned. Much earlier than the ones I own. As to the pricing, I would say that the Spider-Man coin is worth closer to $30 to $100 dollars, per e-bay sales. But maybe with a serial number in the top ten it would bring in more money, but I’ve never seen one sell for the price you quote.
The first ad was a solo Spidey medallion ad.
Thanks for the correction, Jack! – greg
hi, nice to read this thread. I have 2 Conan coins one with the chain and mount in bronze and the other is silver 1/118
Very nice, mukesh, especially the silver coin/medallion. I’m still on the hunt for a Hulk one!