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 - Flash Gordon - Japanese - vinyl LP - £40.00, $50.40, €47.20 (New Item) (arrived 23-May-2022 15:12)on May 24, 2022 at 9:31 am
QUEEN Flash Gordon (1980 Japanese 18-track LP, featuring Freddie & co's classic soundtrack to the science fiction film, housed in an embossed picture sleeve with discography obi-strip, portrait/ cast list insert, illustrated inner & bonus Japanese/ lyric insert. The packaging shows little of its age & the vinyl has very few signs of play P-10960E)
- Queen - A Day At The Races - 2nd - EX - UK - vinyl LP - £25.00, $31.50, €29.50 (New Item) (arrived 11-May-2022 10:31)on May 24, 2022 at 9:31 am
QUEEN A Day At The Races (1976 UK 10-track LP, the fifth studio album from the legendary British band, including Tie Your Mother Down, Somebody To Love & Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy, gatefold picture sleeve with die-cut picture inner. The sleeve,which still displays 'vintage' price sticker, shows some edgewear and general scuff marks, typical to this issue, whilst the vinyl appears barely played EMTC104)
- Queen - Carrera De Bicicletas - Chile - 7" vinyl - Promo - £95.00, $119.70, €112.10 (New Item) (arrived 09-May-2022 11:57)on May 24, 2022 at 9:31 am
QUEEN Carrera De Bicicletas (1978 Chilean solid centre promotional vinyl 7" for the single Bicycle Race on the EMI red & cream label stamped 'Venta Prohibida promocional', also including Niñas Gorditas' (Fat Bottomed Girls), within the original EMI Odeon red & green swirled white custom printed plastic sleeve. The sleeve displays some light wear & age but has no splits of rips, the A side label has a previous owners name written, othwerwise the vinyl shows only a few light signs of play. A nice example and the first we have ever seen!)
- Queen - A Kind Of Magic - US - 7" vinyl - Promo - £30.00, $37.80, €35.40 (New Item) (arrived 09-May-2022 12:17)on May 24, 2022 at 9:31 am
QUEEN A Kind Of Magic (1986 US white title label promotional vinyl 7" for the single release, issued exclusively to radio stations to help promote the release, and plays the same 4:23 Stereo version on both sides, within a commercial picture sleeve which is actually different to the UK release. The sleeve displays only light wear and has a small split to one edge, however, the vinyl looks barely played P-B-5590)
- Queen - Now I'm Here - Hungarian - 7" vinyl - £165.00, $207.90, €194.70 (New Item) (arrived 09-May-2022 12:54)on May 24, 2022 at 9:31 am
QUEEN Now I'm Here (Rare 1975 Hungarian wide centred 7" vinyl single on the red & white Pepita label, also including Lily Of The Valley, housed in a unique 'cloud' picture sleeve with black lettering and blank blue reverse. The sleeve has some light signs of age wear, not surprising considering the fragile paper construction. Traditionally vinyl from this region is in poor condition however this copy remains Excellent with some light cosmetic surface marks and very little signs of play. A really nice example and the first we have seen in over ten years! SPSK70209)
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