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 - Radio Ga Ga - Blue Vinyl - Sealed - UK - 7" vinyl - £195.00, $251.55, €232.05 (Back In Stock) (arrived 25-Jul-2024 13:00)on July 26, 2024 at 11:06 am
QUEEN Radio Ga Ga (Rare & Highly Collectable 2021 UK limited edition 7" single pressed on Blue Vinyl, also including I'm In Love With My Car. The third in a series of four singles, this one is dedicated to Roger Taylor, with both songs written by him. Sold exclusively through the Queen store, with 500 at 'The Greatest Pop-Up Store' and 500 on Queen's online store, the factory sealed blue tinted 'Roger' picture sleeve is numbered 0211)
- Queen - Queen II - 2nd - UK - vinyl LP - £45.00, $58.05, €53.55 (New Item) (arrived 15-Jul-2024 16:27)on July 26, 2024 at 11:06 am
QUEEN Queen II (1974 UK second issue 11-track vinyl LP on the cream & red EMI labels printed with 'Side White' and 'Side Black' above the tracklisting, complete with round cornered lyric inner and housed in a fully laminated gatefold picture sleeve. The cover displays minimal shelfwear & the vinyl looks barely played EMA767)
- Queen - Sheer Heart Attack - 2nd - EX - UK - vinyl LP - £30.00, $38.70, €35.70 (New Item) (arrived 08-Jul-2024 13:58)on July 26, 2024 at 11:06 am
QUEEN Sheer Heart Attack (70s UK issue of the 1974 13-track LP, fully laminated picture sleeve with Trident logo on the back & round cornered lyric inner with 'Crest Design & Queen Productions Ltd' logo at the end. The sleeve shows just light edgewear, whilst the vinyl is also Excellent with minimal signs of play)
- Queen - Queen - Blair - EX - UK - vinyl LP - £30.00, $38.70, €35.70 (New Item) (arrived 08-Jul-2024 14:27)on July 26, 2024 at 11:06 am
QUEEN Queen (1973 UK 10-track vinyl LP with 'BLAIR'/'BLAIR RULES' etched in the run-outs, the band's debut album including Keep Yourself Alive, Son And Daughter and a short instrumental version of Seven Seas Of Rhye. The matt picture sleeve displays some light edge scuffing and ringwear, whilst the vinyl shows few signs of play - overall an Excellent example and great play copy EMC3006)
- Queen - News Of The World - 1st - VG - UK - vinyl LP - £20.00, $25.80, €23.80 (New Item) (arrived 09-Jul-2024 09:04)on July 26, 2024 at 11:06 am
QUEEN News Of The World (1977 UK first press 11-track LP, their classic sixth studio album including the singles We Are The Champions/ We Will Rock You & Spread Your Wings. The gatefold picture sleeve shows minimal wear, the die-cut inner is graded as VG with cellotape repairs along the edges, whilst the vinyl has just the odd faint scuff EMA784)
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