Royal Mint launches David Bowie coins by sending one into space

From Planet Rock.

Late music legend David Bowie is being celebrated with a commemorative coin range from The Royal Mint.

Following the launch of Queen coins and Elton John coins in January and July, David Bowie’s posthumous commemorative coins are the third in The Royal Mint’s ‘Music Legends’ series.

The visually striking coins feature an image of David Bowie from the late 1970s when he was working on his trilogy of experimental albums in Berlin – Low (1977), “Heroes” (1977) and Lodger (1979). Alongside this, the design also includes the lightning bolt motif from 1973 album ‘Aladdin Sane’.

Utilising ground-breaking technology and manufacturing techniques, the lightning bolt on a number of the special edition coins appears laced with stardust to create a glitter effect.

To mark the launch, a David Bowie coin has been sent into space. The coin was sent 35,656 metres high and orbited the Earth’s atmosphere for 45 minutes before safely descending back to Britain. It was the first time ever a UK coin was sent into space.

David Bowie coins from The Royal Mint:

David Bowie 2020 UK Quarter-Ounce Gold Proof Coin

David Bowie 2020 UK One Ounce Silver Proof Coin

David Bowie 2020 UK £5 Brilliant Uncirculated Coin – Edition

Bowie’s career breakthrough was, of course, with the chart-topping single ‘Space Oddity’ in 1969 and he went on to write a number of other songs alluding to space including ‘Life On Mars’, ‘Hallo Spaceboy’, ‘Starman’, ‘The Prettiest Star’, ‘The Stars Are Out Tonight’ and ‘Dancing Out in Space’.

Clare Maclennan, Divisional Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint, says: “We are thrilled to unveil the third coin in The Royal Mint’s ‘Music Legends’ series, honouring the intergalactic legacy and career of David Bowie.

“In recognition of Bowie’s first hit single ‘Space Oddity’, we felt it was fitting to send his coin into space and celebrate the Starman in his own pioneering fashion. David Bowie’s music has inspired and influenced generations of musicians and we hope this commemorative coin will be cherished by fans around the world.”

There are three ranges of David Bowie coins – Gold Proof Commemorative Coins, Silver Proof Commemorative Coins and Uncirculated Commemorative Coins.

They range in price from £13 for the David Bowie 2020 UK £5 Brilliant Uncirculated Coin right up to a massive £72,195.00 for the David Bowie 2020 UK Kilo Gold Proof Coin.

There’s also a chance to win the historic coin that was propelled into space via The Royal Mint’s Facebook page.

 

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  • David Bowie - VH1 Storytellers - 180 Gram Black Vinyl - Sealed - UK - 2-LP vinyl set - £29.99, $38.09, €35.99 (New Item) (arrived 20-Nov-2024 17:12)
    on November 21, 2024 at 9:55 am

    DAVID BOWIE VH1 Storytellers (2019 UK/EU limited edition 12-track double album 2-LP pressed on 180-gram black vinyl. First released in 2009 this album features Bowie's intimate live performance for invited guests, recorded on 23rd August 1999at The Manhattan Centre's Grand Ballroom in New York for the VH1 Storytellers series. The Bowie set has long been regarded as one of the most memorable episodes in VH1 Storytellers history, with David delving deep into his catalogue to performtracks such as 'Can't Help Thinking About Me' for the first time in 33 years, Aladdin Sane's 'Drive-In Saturday' which he had not performed since 1974 and 'Word On A Wing' which received its first outing in 23 years. Gatefold picture sleeve, factory sealed. Recommended)

  • David Bowie - Revolutionary Song / Just A Gigolo - RSD19 - Blue Vinyl - Sealed - UK - 7" vinyl - £24.99, $31.74, €29.99 (New Item) (arrived 16-Nov-2024 18:00)
    on November 21, 2024 at 9:55 am

    DAVID BOWIE + MARLENE DIETRICH Revolutionary Song / Just A Gigolo (2019 UK limited edition 7" single released exclusively for Record Store Day pressed on Blue Vinyl featuring two tracks taken from the soundtrack for 'Just A Gigolo' in which David starred alongside Marlene Dietrich in her last film appearance. Bowie contributed a piece of music to the film; his so-called 'Revolutionary Song', played by a band called The Rebels, accompaniedhere by the 1928 title track, performed by Marlene. The vinyl is BRAND NEW & UNPLAYED housed in the individually numbered picture sleeve which remains sealed within its stickered shrinkwrap! MOV7053) **Limited to 7500 Copies**

  • David Bowie - Station To Station - UK - box set - £395.00, $501.65, €474.00 (New Item) (arrived 16-Nov-2024 11:56)
    on November 21, 2024 at 9:55 am

    DAVID BOWIE Station To Station (2010 UK Deluxe Multi-Format Box Set, comprising five CDs containing the original analogue & 1985 RCA CD masters, a 5-track 'Singles Versions' CD EP, including a previously unreleased 'Station To Station', the much bootlegged live favourite, 'Live Nassau Coliseum '76', & for the first time on CD, 'Word On A Wing'. Also included is an exclusive Audio DVD featuring no less than four alternate mixes of the album, not forgetting the original analoguealbum master & the 'Live Nassau Coliseum '76' recording pressed on Three Heavyweight Vinyl LPs. The whole package comes housed in a foam-packed box with a 24-page booklet containing new notes from Cameron Crowe, never before seen photos & extensive memorabilia from the Bowie Net archives. A six-panel folded poster is enclosed as well as an 'Onstage Folder' [replica backstage pass, ticket, press shots etc] & 'Replica Fan Club Holder' [fan club membership card, certificate, badges etc]. Phew! The box displays some light general wear and contents remain near as new, still in the barcoded mailer box! BOWSTSD2010)

  • David Bowie - David Bowie Is Inside - Sealed - UK - book - £35.00, $44.45, €42.00 (New Item) (arrived 16-Nov-2024 12:12)
    on November 21, 2024 at 9:55 am

    DAVID BOWIE David Bowie Is Inside (Sealed 2014 UK 12.5" x 10" 320-page softcover book, packed with exclusive photos of all the main exhibits at the V&A exhibition "David Bowie is" held between 23 March - 11 August 2013, with full access to theBowiearchive of performance costume, ephemera, stage documents & original artwork by the artist, including all the early 'Ziggy' costumes through to the one's he wore for the Reality tour and much more, still sealed in the shrink!)

  • David Bowie - The Glass Spider Tour - UK - tour programme - £25.00, $31.75, €30.00 (New Item) (arrived 16-Nov-2024 12:25)
    on November 21, 2024 at 9:55 am

    DAVID BOWIE The Glass Spider Tour (Official 1987 UK 20-page 10" x 13" glossy tour programme with fantastic fold-out and die-cut pages, packed with lots of great photographs along with printed lyrics for 'Glass Spider', 'Never Let Me Down' and'Time Will Crawl'. With a glossy die-cut back picture cover. The cover shows just a little wear, whilst the inner pages show few signs of age)

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