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.
Explore eil.com & 991.com sister – the world’s best online store for rare, collectable & out of print Vinyl Records, CDs & Music memorabilia since 1987.
EIL.COM Favourite Music Update Rare CDs, CD Singles, Rare Records, Vinyl Records, Albums and Music
- Queen - Interview - UK - 10" Picture Disc - £15.00, $18.90, €17.55 (New Item) (arrived 30-Apr-2024 10:39)on April 30, 2024 at 11:26 am
QUEEN Interviews (1991 UK 10" Picture Disc, including a Roger Taylor interview from 1991 backed with band interviews from '83 and '85, clear PVC sleeve QUEEN10P)
- Queen - A Kind Of Magic - EX - UK - vinyl LP - £20.00, $25.20, €23.40 (New Item) (arrived 22-Apr-2024 10:49)on April 30, 2024 at 11:26 am
QUEEN A Kind of Magic (1986 UK 9-track vinyl LP, the twelfth studio album featuring the singles Who Wants To Live Forever, A Kind Of Magic, Princes Of The Universe & One Vision. The glossy gatefold picture sleeve has light wear, with a small split to the top edge but comes with the illustrated lyric inner and the vinyl displays some hairlines which have no real impact on play EU3509)
- Queen - We Will Rock You / We Are The Champions - Dutch - CD single - £9.99, $12.59, €11.69 (New Item) (arrived 15-Apr-2024 16:23)on April 30, 2024 at 11:26 am
QUEEN We Will Rock You/We Are The Champions (1992 Dutch-only 4-track CD single, including live & studio versions of both songs, unique picture sleeve featuring Freddie on stage at Wembley Stadium)
- Queen - The Game - 1st - EX - UK - vinyl LP - £20.00, $25.20, €23.40 (New Item) (arrived 17-Apr-2024 16:07)on April 30, 2024 at 11:26 am
QUEEN The Game (1980 UK first press 10-track LP, including the hit singles Another One Bites The & Dust Crazy Little Thing Called Love, complete with illustrated lyric inner, silver metallicised picture sleeve. The sleeve shows some signs of wear, with notable creases to corners/edges, whilst the vinyl is Excellent with minor signs of play. This is a difficult sleeve to photograph/scan & always looks much worse in the images than it actually is, so don't panic! EMA795)
- Queen - A Kind Of Magic + p/s - UK - 12" vinyl - £20.00, $25.20, €23.40 (New Item) (arrived 19-Apr-2024 10:26)on April 30, 2024 at 11:26 am
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)
Be the first to comment