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.
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.
Buy and sell coins with confidence when you use The Britannia Coin Company of Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire.
Buy Collectable Coins Online
We offer a wide range of collectable and investment coins in pre-owned and brand-new condition. As our name suggests, we focus on British coins (from hammered metal-detecting finds to modern Royal Mint issues) with a healthy selection of pieces from international mints too. All the coins we sell are 100% guaranteed authentic and, where relevant, are individually certified.
The Britannia Coin Company is part of the Gold-Traders group, founded in 2008. We're members of the British Numismatic Trade Association (BNTA) and pride ourselves on our honesty, integrity and expertise.
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The price of all our coins includes free, fully insured UK shipping.
We post most orders within 24 hours of receipt, Monday to Friday. Please check individual product pages for accurate delivery estimates.
We deliver internationally. All payments are to be made in Pounds Sterling. We have a flat rate international shipping charge of just £15. See our dedicated delivery page for exceptions and further information.
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The team buys thousands of coins every month via our postal valuation service. Its a safe and easy way to sell coins from home with payment via bank transfer available the same day you confirm our price.
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Visit Our Wiltshire Showroom
If you're looking for a bargain then why not visit our showroom? We've got lots of great discount coins available in our cabinets at Old Bank Antiques.
From circulating £2s and 50ps to world coins, commemorative sets and new releases to ancients, we've got something for everyone. Make sure you save time to browse the glass, ceramics, jewellery, clocks and militaria on display in the rest of the shop, located at 143 High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, SN4 7AB.
You won't find our full range on display in our showroom but if there is something particular you would like to examine then please do get in touch. We're pleased to arrange a private viewing appointment at a time that suits you.
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