Two Ounce gold proof coin with glitter-effect detail, celebrating Music Legend, David Bowie.
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 with small variations appears across the coins in this series, including this Two Ounce edition which has a textured effect on the lightning bolt which produces an eye-catching glitter.
Two Ounce Gold Proof Coin
Struck to flawless proof standard using specially prepared dies, this David Bowie coin is composed of 62.42 grams of 999.9 fine gold. It has a face value of Two Hundred Pounds and measures 40.00 millimetres across.
Only 100 of these 2oz gold coins were offered by The Royal Mint and they sold out lightning fast when first made available.
You'll receive your 2020 Music Legends 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.
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