A celebration of all things Bowie on a Five Ounce gold proof coin: part of the third collection in The Royal Mint's Music Legends series.
Royal Mint Music Legends
British artists have been dominating and transforming the world of popular music for decades and its high time that extraordinary legacy was celebrated on coinage. The Royal Mint's Music Legends series aims to do just that with collections themed around some of the UK’s greatest acts.
The series launched in early 2020 with collectible gold and silver coins starring rock band Queen. The same year saw a further release, inspired by Sir Elton John, followed by a slightly delayed third collection: a tribute to the late David Bowie.
Ever-eccentric, Bowie has inspired and enthralled since he released Space Oddity in 1969, gaining a new following with every reinvention. As Rolling Stone named him the 'Greatest Rock Star Ever' it was probably a given that Bowie would feature in The Royal Mint's series but we were still excited when the designs were revealed.
A Tribute to the Starman
The design that appears on the reverse of this one kilogram gold proof coin borrows some of the most recognisable imagery associated with Ziggy Stardust. The artist behind this work is Jody Clark whose portrait of Elizabeth II appears on the obverse of this piece. Speaking about his Music Legends design, Clark said:
'I chose to work on an image of Bowie from the time in his career when he lived and recorded in Berlin. Behind his portrait I included the iconic and dynamic lightning bolt motif and I also added 27 stars to represent every one of the Starman’s studio albums.'
A similar image appears on smaller gold and silver coins in the Music Legends series. The gold proof Five Ounce coin differs in that the lightning bolt has an unusual textured glitter effect.
999.9 Gold £500 Coin
Struck in 156.30 grams of 999.9 fine gold, this 50.00 millimeter Music Legends coin has a face value of £500. It's finished to proof standard using multiple strikes and hand polished dies.
Just 60 pieces were offered in this limited edition presentation, making this amongst the scarcest of the range which also includes a gold kilo coin and a range of smaller pieces in gold and silver.
We're offering this Five Ounce coin in its original presentation packaging from The Royal Mint. Sealed in its capsule, the coin is ensconced in a special all-black case. Also included: an information booklet and a numbered certificate of authenticity.
Product Summary
Precious Metal Content:
156.30 (g)
Monarch:
Elizabeth II (1952-2022)
Denomination:
£500 / Five Hundred Pound
Capital Gains Tax Status:
Exempt
Condition:
Proof - Boxed with certificate of authenticity
Steeped in more than 1,100 years of history, The Royal Mint supplies all of the United Kingdom's coinage as well as currency for nations around the world. Renown for craftsmanship and thoughtful design, The Royal Mint also produces commemorative coins, favoured by investors and collectors.
A Millennia of Minting
Founded in the reign of Alfred the Great, around the year 886, The Royal Mint was originally one of several mints which were centralised to London in 1279. For more than 800 years the Mint was based at the Tower of London before moving to Royal Mint Court where it remained until the 1960s.
The Royal Mint has always been on the forefront of economic, technical and artistic innovation. Its skilled craftsmen minted coins that would reach the far corners of the British Empire, establishing the image and reputation of Britain for all whose pockets they ended up in.
In 2010 The Royal Mint became a limited company owned by Her Majesty’s Treasury. In recent years the Mint has struck medals for the 2012 London Olympic Games and opened a visitor centre, The Royal Mint Experience, in Llantrisant, Wales: the current home of The Royal Mint.
Collecting and Investing
The Royal Mint's commemorative and bullion coins – often minted to mark important national events and anniversaries – are not intended for circulation. They might look like ordinary coins but they are generally worth much more, thanks to their scarcity, finish and composition.
Most commemorative coins produced by The Royal Mint are available in a range of striking standards including Gold Proof, Silver Proof, Brilliant Uncirculated and Bullion. Some are also available in collectors sets. Gold and Silver Proof coins are minted in small numbers, making them rare and desirable.
The Royal Mint's commemorative coins are both VAT-free and Capital Gains Tax (CGT) exempt, making them an attractive and valuable investment. Whether you are diversifying your investments or simply appreciate world-class design, commemorative coins from The Royal Mint are a great buy.
The Royal Mint at The Britannia Coin Company
The Britannia Coin Company is proud to stock official commemorative coins from The Royal Mint as well as a wide range of historic Royal Mint coinage. We offer unbeatable value on The Royal Mint coins, backed by our reputation for honesty and integrity, built over more than a decade of trading.
We're The Britannia Coin Company: offering exceptional service and unbeatable value to all who collect and invest in coins. Part of Gold-Traders (UK) Ltd, we've earned a world-class reputation over more than a decade of buying and selling currency from new issues to ancient coins.
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Visit our Showroom
We're based in Royal Wootton Bassett, a historic market town in beautiful Wiltshire. If the name rings a bell it's probably because you remember how the community honoured those soldiers who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. The 'Royal' in the name was granted in 2011 to recognise this.
Our new showroom – opened in 2020 – is located in the heart of Royal Wootton Bassett in a grand, old bank building. Inside you can view our stock, as well as jewellery and collectibles from several local antique dealers. Look out for the Old Bank Antiques sign and come on in.
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