UNLEASHING THE POWER OF PAPER MONEY

Regarding the question about the Penny Plunderer's backstory in the Batman series, his real name is Joe Coyne. He sells newspapers but is fired from his job for pitching pennies in the office. His lack of employment leads him to rob a cash register, but it only yields him pennies. Joe then decides to embrace this failure and lives a life of crime as the Penny Plunderer, focusing on illegal penny-themed capers. His first appearance is in World's Finest Volume 1 #30 (September 1947), where Batman resourcefully uses a giant cent to defeat the Penny Plunderer.

In another numismatic/comic book connection, paper money is prominently featured in issue No. 7 (December 1968) of a comic book called The Spectre. My father bought this specific issue when he was very young and recently handed it down to me because of its numismatic content.

As seen in the Batman series, The Spectre also uses a numismatic item to thwart evil doers and save the day. In this case, the numismatic weapon of choice is a one-dollar Federal Reserve note. When bank bandit Frankie Barron repeatedly tries to rob the Gateway City Bank, superhero Spectre brings the villain to justice by unleashing the power of paper money. The pyramid, eagle and numbers all leap off a $1 note to forcefully attack and subdue Frankie Barron.

 

 

These specific two comic book issues have starkly different monetary values. According to the 51st edition of the Overstreet Comic Book price guide, World's Finest Volume 1 #30 is valued at $1700 in near mint condition. Conversely, my issue No.7 of The Spectre, which is in well-loved condition, is worth about $12 (vs. $110 if it was near mint). However, what my issue of The Spectre provides that an issue of World's Finest Volume 1 #30 cannot, is a priceless family pedigree.

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
LOOSE CHANGE: JUNE 11, 2023 : Batman's Giant Penny (https://www.coinbooks.org/v26/esylum_v26n24a30.html)

 

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