The first entry in the UK Royal Mint’s “Music Legends” commemorative series, this gold coin honors the rock band Queen. Each coin in the series honors one of Britain’s greatest musical artists.
The obverse features Jody Clark’s portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. This is the fifth portrait to have ben used on United Kingdom coinage since her accession to the throne in 1952. Unveiled in 2015, this portrait appears on the obverse of all coins minted at the Royal Mint.
The reverse is dedicated to rock band Queen, with each band member represented by an instrument. The Bechstein grand piano is the one Freddie Mercury played on “Bohemian Rhapsody”. Brian May built his Red Special guitar as a teenager and the neck is made from a 200-year-old fireplace. Roger Taylor’s Ludwig bass drum is decorated with the Queen crest, as it was in the band’s early days. John Deacon’s Fender Precision Bass is the same model he plays in the video for “Don’t Stop Me Now”. And the Queen logo is placed in the center, underscored with Freddie’s signature mic stick. The reverse was designed by Chris Facey.
This coin is struck in proof finish with frosted devices and deeply reflective fields. Each coin in the Music Legends series contains 1/4oz of .9999 gold. Other coins released in the first year of the series honored Elton John and David Bowie.
