Queen become first British band to be celebrated on an official UK coin

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.”

Image 1 of 3

The £5 Queen Brilliant Uncirculated coin

The £5 Queen Brilliant Uncirculated coin (Image credit: Thew Royal Mint)

The Queen One Ounce Silver Proof Coin

The Queen One Ounce Silver Proof Coin (Image credit: The Royal Mint)

The Queen One Ounce Gold Proof Coin

The Queen One Ounce Gold Proof Coin (Image credit: The Royal Mint)

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 - The Greatest - Sealed - UK - 2-LP vinyl set - £249.99, $314.99, €292.49 (New Item) (arrived 29-Mar-2024 10:52)
    on March 29, 2024 at 1:46 pm

    QUEEN The Greatest (2021 UK Limited Special Edition 'The Greatest Pop Up Store' 17-track 2-LP set pressed on 180 Gram Heavyweight Vinyl - The Greatest Hits album originally released in 1981, featuring a collection of hits from their 1973 to 1980 period includes Bohemian Rhapsody, Another One Bites The Dust, Killer Queen, Don't Stop Me Now, Somebody To Love, We Will Rock You, We Are The Champions. This was only available in the pop-up store in in Carnaby Street, with 500 copies available in-store and 500 on the bands official online web store. Housed in a picture sleeve with an exclusive outer slipcase, and remains factory sealed from new. These sold-out within minutes and are now extremely collectable!) **Limited to 1000 Copies Only**

  • Queen - Flash Gordon - 180 Gram Vinyl - US - vinyl LP - £25.00, $31.50, €29.25 (New Item) (arrived 27-Mar-2024 15:37)
    on March 29, 2024 at 1:46 pm

    QUEEN Flash Gordon (2011 US issue limited edition 18-track LP pressed on 180gram Heavyweight Vinyl - Originally released in December 1980, the album features the soundtrack for the science fiction movie 'Flash Gordon', including the classic hit 'Flash's Theme'. Housed in a picture sleeve replicating the original with a die-cut inner sleeve. The sleeve dispalys minimal wear and the vinyl shows only very light signs of play)

  • Queen - Body Language - Japanese - 7" vinyl - £50.00, $63.00, €58.50 (New Item) (arrived 20-Mar-2024 12:44)
    on March 29, 2024 at 1:46 pm

    QUEEN Body Language (1982 Japanese wide centred 7" vinyl single, also including Life Is Real, unique picture insert with lyrics on the reverse. The insert displays minimal wear and the vinyl looks barely played P-1650)

  • Queen - Live Killers - EX - UK - 2-LP vinyl set - £35.00, $44.10, €40.95 (New Item) (arrived 20-Mar-2024 12:59)
    on March 29, 2024 at 1:46 pm

    QUEEN Live Killers (1979 UK 22-track double LP, featuring a brilliant collection of tracks recorded live during the European leg of Queen's 'Jazz' world tour between January & March 1979. Comes housed in the original non-barcoded gatefold sleeve with colour coded album note inners. The sleeve is Excellent with some minor shelf wear [small dent on spine] & the vinyl is clean & in Excellent condition with minimal play EMSP330)

  • Queen - Live Killers - VG - UK - 2-LP vinyl set - £20.00, $25.20, €23.40 (New Item) (arrived 26-Mar-2024 09:57)
    on March 29, 2024 at 1:46 pm

    QUEEN Live Killers (1979 UK 22-track double LP, featuring a brilliant collection of tracks recorded live during the European leg of Queen's 'Jazz' world tour between January & March 1979. Housed in a gatefold picture sleeve with green and red narrative inners. The sleeve [VG] has some notable spine scuffing and edgewear; the inners have small seam splits in the bottom edge. The vinyl appears near as new - a great play copy EMSP330)

 

 

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