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There are series that you watch, talk about, and forget. And then there's Stranger Things, one of those shows capable of creating its own visual universe: bicycles at night, flashing lights, secret laboratories, impossible monsters, and a small town called Hawkins where nothing is as peaceful as it seems.
Now that world leaps from the screen to numismatics with two new coins issued by The Perth Mint, one of the most active mints in the field of popular culture issues. The pieces are part of the Stranger Things collection and transform some of the most recognizable symbols from the Netflix series into legal tender collector's items in Tuvalu.
These aren't conventional coins meant for circulation, but rather issues clearly aimed at modern collectors, those who combine metal, design, film, television, and nostalgia. And in this case, the nostalgia has a very specific name: Hawkins.
The first of the two pieces directly pits Eleven against Vecna, two characters who perfectly encapsulate the series' final showdown. The coin is minted in half an ounce of 99.99% pure silver and features a color reverse depicting them side-by-side, hands outstretched, their powers clashing.
The design plays with a divided composition, as if the coin were split between two realities. Against this backdrop appear vines reminiscent of the Upside Down, that dark, organic, and menacing space that has become one of the defining characteristics of Stranger Things.
The piece also includes subtle nods for the most observant fans: the Surfer Boy Pizza sunglasses associated with Eleven and the stained-glass rose from the Creel house, one of the most unsettling visual elements of the fourth season. Alongside these appear the Stranger Things logo, the Perth Mint's "P" mint mark, and the inscription "YOUR SUFFERING IS ALMOST AT AN END."
It's a coin that's immediately clear: even someone who doesn't know its technical details understands at first glance that it doesn't just represent two characters, but the clash between fear and resistance, between Eleven's wounded childhood and Vecna's devastating darkness.
Hawkins, the town where it all began
The second season shifts the focus. Here, a place, rather than a character, takes center stage: Hawkins, Indiana, the small fictional town that became the epicenter of all the series' mysteries.
The “Welcome to Hawkins” coin features a colorful scene of the town, with the Mind Flayer looming in the background like a colossal threat. Part of the design appears in grayscale to represent the Upside Down, reinforcing that Stranger Things feel: that of an everyday reality that, beneath the surface, hides something much darker.
The reverse features the series logo, the word “HAWKINS,” and The Perth Mint’s “P” mark. The gold finish gives it a striking, visually appealing look, designed to attract collectors who come to numismatics from the world of entertainment.
In this story, Hawkins functions almost as a character. It's not just the setting where things happen: it's the place where Will Byers disappears, where the first cracks to the Upside Down appear, where the gang discovers that monsters don't only exist in role-playing games, and where the aesthetics of the eighties blend with supernatural horror.
Two coins, two ways of counting the series
What's interesting about these episodes is that they don't all follow the same approach. The Eleven and Vecna episode focuses on direct conflict, on the tension between protagonist and villain, on the dramatic moment. The Hawkins episode, on the other hand, encapsulates the atmosphere: the seemingly normal town, the threatening sky, the presence of the Mind Flayer, and that broken boundary between the real world and the Upside Down.
One looks at the characters. The other looks at the mythical territory of the series.
And therein lies much of its appeal for the Spanish reader and collector. It's not simply about "coins from a famous series," but rather a way of immortalizing in metal some of the most recognizable visual icons of recent television culture.
Pop culture is increasingly influencing numismatics
For decades, commemorative coins were primarily associated with historical anniversaries, illustrious figures, heritage, wildlife, art, or major national events. That world remains fundamental, but in recent years a new avenue has emerged strongly: the numismatics of popular culture.
Superheroes, film franchises, video games, television series, and animated characters have all found their place on coins issued by official mints. These are not mere metallic souvenirs: they are numismatic products with limited mintages, certificates of authenticity, meticulous design, and, in many cases, legal tender status in issuing countries that have embraced this type of licensing.
Stranger Things fits particularly well into this category because its visual universe is so recognizable. Few recent series have so many of their own symbols: the Christmas lights, the Demogorgon, the bicycles, the Hellfire Club, the Mind Flayer, Vecna, Hawkins, the lab, the walkie-talkies, or the 80s aesthetic that permeates the entire production.
On a coin, where space is limited, this visual language is essential. And these two pieces clearly take advantage of it.
Characteristics of coins
Currency Year Issuing country Face value Metal/finish Diameter Maximum print run
Stranger Things – Eleven and Vecna 2026 Tuvalu 50 cents 1/2 oz of 99.99% silver, color 32.60 mm 2,500 pieces
Stranger Things – Welcome to Hawkins 2026 Tuvalu 1 dollar Gold-plated copper, color 30.70 mm 5,000 pieces
Description of the obverses
The obverse of these issues features the effigy of King Charles III created by Jody Clark, accompanied by the legends corresponding to the issuing country, the face value and the year 2026. It is the institutional face of coins that, despite their marked character of popular culture, are official issues with legal value in Tuvalu.
That contrast between the classic portrait of the monarch and the reverses inspired by Stranger Things is one of the most curious aspects of this type of piece: on the one hand, the numismatic tradition; on the other, a series born in the streaming era.
Description of the reverses
On the coin dedicated to Eleven and Vecna, the reverse shows the two characters facing off, their hands outstretched as they channel their powers. The divided background and vines evoke the Upside Down. Details such as Surfer Boy Pizza's sunglasses and the stained-glass rose from Creel House also appear. The design is completed with the Stranger Things logo, the phrase "YOUR SUFFERING IS ALMOST AT AN END," and The Perth Mint's "P" mark.
On the “Welcome to Hawkins” coin, the reverse depicts the town of Hawkins with the Mind Flayer in the background. A grayscale area symbolizes the Upside Down, creating a scene where the threat appears to emanate from within the town itself. The design also includes the Stranger Things logo, the word “HAWKINS,” and The Perth Mint’s mint mark.
Why these coins might attract attention beyond traditional collecting
These issues have a particularly interesting aspect: they can appeal to two distinct audiences. On the one hand, there's the numismatic collector who follows the latest releases from The Perth Mint, including limited editions and modern coins with special finishes. On the other hand, there's the Stranger Things fan who may never have considered buying a coin, but would certainly like to own an official item related to one of their favorite series.
This intersection between numismatics and fandom is becoming increasingly important. The coin ceases to be merely a technical piece and also becomes a small metal sign, an encapsulated scene, a fragment of popular culture transformed into a physical object.
In times when almost everything is consumed on screen, it is striking that a series born on Netflix ends up finding a second life in silver, color and gold metal.
Hawkins fits on a coin
The new Stranger Things coins issued by The Perth Mint don't need much explanation to grab attention. Just seeing Eleven facing Vecna or the menacing silhouette of the Mind Flayer over Hawkins is enough to immediately recognize the universe they belong to.
These pieces speak the language of the series: mystery, nostalgia, darkness, and adventure. They also speak the language of modern numismatics, which is increasingly open to turning major icons of popular culture into official limited-edition coins.
Because, in the end, Hawkins wasn't just on the other side of the screen. Now he can also fit on a coin.
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