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 - Headlong + insert - UK - 12" picture disc - £50.00, $62.50, €58.00 (New Item) (arrived 25-Apr-2024 11:24)on April 25, 2024 at 5:09 pm
QUEEN Headlong (1991 UK limited edition 3-track 12" Picture Disc single with clear surround, also including All God's People and Mad The Swine; with the back picture insert within a clear PVC sleeve. This example remains in a 'near as new' condition 12QUEENPD18)
- Queen - A Kind Of Magic + p/s - UK - 12" vinyl - £20.00, $25.00, €23.20 (New Item) (arrived 19-Apr-2024 10:26)on April 25, 2024 at 5:09 pm
QUEEN A Kind Of Magic (1986 UK 12" single featuring the Extended Version of the song used as the theme to the 'Highlander' movie, also including A Dozen Red Roses For My Darling. The glossy picture sleeve shows a small bit of paper loss on thereverse from ringwear, but otherwise displays minimal shelf wear & the vinyl is Excellent with light signs of play 12QUEEN7)
- Queen - The Platinum Collection - UK - 3-CD set - £25.00, $31.25, €29.00 (New Item) (arrived 08-Apr-2024 17:42)on April 25, 2024 at 5:09 pm
QUEEN The Platinum Collection (2006 issue UK 51-track 3-CD album collection comprising of all 3 of their hugely successful hits collections together including the classic hits 'Bohemian Rhapsody', 'Don't Stop Me Now', 'We Will Rock You', 'We AreThe Champions', 'Radio Ga Ga', 'I Want To Break Free', 'Too Much Love Will Kill You', 'Heaven For Everyone', 'Another Ones Bites The Dust' and many more! Presented in an embossed outer slip case showing just a few light marks from storage but otherwise excellent with original store stickers, housing a fat double jewel case with picture booklet and all contents near as new)
- Queen - Queen II - 2nd - EX - UK - vinyl LP - £25.00, $31.25, €29.00 (New Item) (arrived 10-Apr-2024 13:32)on April 25, 2024 at 5:09 pm
QUEEN Queen II (1974 UK second press 11-track LP, fully laminated gatefold picture sleeve with round cornered lyric inner. The sleeve & vinyl remain in superb Excellent condition EMA767)
- Queen - Sheer Heart Attack - 1st - UK - vinyl LP - £125.00, $156.25, €145.00 (Back In Stock) (arrived 11-Apr-2024 10:47)on April 25, 2024 at 5:09 pm
QUEEN Sheer Heart Attack (1974 UK first issue 13-track vinyl LP, complete with angled corner lyric inner with Queen crest directly below the lyrics and 'G&L' below, fully laminated picture sleeve with 'Trident' logo on the reverse. The sleeve is shows minimal shelfwear and the vinyl remains in wonderful condition with few signs of play EMC3061)
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