
From Loudersound.
The Royal Mint have released a commemorative coin honouring rock legends Queen.
It’s the first time that a British band has been recognised on UK currency, with the range designed by Chris Facey featuring Freddie Mercury’s mic and Bechstein grand piano, Brian May’s ‘Red Special’ guitar, John Deacon’s Fender Precision bass and Roger Taylor’s Ludwig bass drum.
The coin is available in a variety of versions with the £5 Brilliant Uncirculated coin presented in four different slipcases covers representing Queen, their live work and the albums Hot Space and A Kind Of Magic.
In addition there’s a half ounce silver proof coin, a one ounce silver proof coin, a quarter-ounce gold proof coin, and a one ounce gold proof coin.
All are available to purchase through the Royal Mint’s website, with prices ranging from £13 for the Brilliant Uncirculated coin up to £2020 for the gold proof coin.
May says: “This is a big, ‘Who could have imagined it?’ moment for us. When we began as Queen, even the first rung of the ladder to recognition seemed remote and unreachable. To have our band recognised and our music celebrated in this way is very touching – a real honour.”
Taylor adds: “Marvellous, all this fuss over our band. I feel entirely spent.”
Designer Facey says his first memory of hearing Queen was Bohemian Rhapsody in the famous car scene from 1992 Mike Myers film Wayne’s World, and he’s been a fan ever since.
He adds: “It’s therefore such an honour to be asked to commemorate such an extraordinary band on a UK coin, and even more exciting as it’s the first coin I’ve designed.
“ All four members of Queen were vital for their bravery in the music they created and the boundaries they pushed, and I hope that fans will enjoy seeing each of their contributions paid tribute to on this coin.”
The Royal Mint’s chief commercial officer Nicola Howell says: “Queen were one of the most influential bands of their generation, and their timeless classics are still enjoyed by millions of fans around the world.
“That’s why we’re so pleased to be honouring their great contribution to British music with their very own coin, which will be the first time a British band has been celebrated on UK coinage.
“British music is one of our greatest contributions to culture around the world, and its musicians like Queen who are at the forefront of this.
“We’re looking forward to announcing other coins in our new ‘Music Legends’ collection later this year, marking the work of other exceptional British musicians.”
Queen and Adam Lambert will play at the Fire Fight Australia benefit concert Sydney’s ANZ Stadium on February 16 to raise funds for the national bushfire relief efforts.
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- Queen - Play The Game - Japanese - 7" vinyl - £20.00, $27.20, €22.40 (Back In Stock) (arrived 21-Apr-2021 15:36)on April 22, 2021 at 11:34 am
QUEEN Play The Game (1980 Japanese 7" vinyl single including A Human Body, Japanese titled picture insert printed with English lyrics on reverse and Japanese text biography information. The insert displays minimal wear and the vinyl looks barely played P-603E)
- Queen - Breakthru - UK - 7" vinyl - £12.00, $16.32, €13.44 (New Item) (arrived 21-Apr-2021 14:13)on April 22, 2021 at 11:34 am
QUEEN Breakthru (1989 UK 7" vinyl single with solid centre and paper labels, also includes Stealin'. The card picture sleeve displays some light general wear and the vinyl remains Excellent with some light cosmetic surface scuffs and only light signs of play QUEEN11)
- Queen - Friends Will Be Friends - UK - 7" picture disc - £50.00, $68.00, €56.00 (New Item) (arrived 21-Apr-2021 13:22)on April 22, 2021 at 11:34 am
QUEEN Friends Will Be Friends (Rare 1986 UK limited edition 7" Picture Disc single, taken from 'A Kind Of Magic', also including Seven Seas Of Rhye from the 'Queen II' album. The disc features a superb band with crowd image taken from the video - a superb collector's item! QUEENP8)
- Queen - A Kind Of Magic + Sleeve - UK - 7" vinyl - £10.00, $13.60, €11.20 (New Item) (arrived 21-Apr-2021 13:29)on April 22, 2021 at 11:34 am
QUEEN A Kind Of Magic (1986 UK solid centre 7" vinyl single, taken from the soundtrack of the film 'Highlander', also including A Dozen Red Roses For My Darling, picture sleeve featuring 'The Kurgan' Highlander image. The sleeve shows only minorwear and the vinyl has a just few cosmetic surface scuffs QUEEN7)
- Queen - Scandal - Poster Sleeve - UK - 7" vinyl - £25.00, $34.00, €28.00 (New Item) (arrived 21-Apr-2021 13:38)on April 22, 2021 at 11:34 am
QUEEN Scandal (Rare 1989 UK limited edition 7" vinyl single, also including My Life Has Been Saved, housed within a superb fold-out double-sided poster sleeve. The sleeve has been stored folded from new and displays only very light wear, whilst the vinyl shows little signs of play QUEENP14)
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