Like many other mints, the Royal Mint issues bullion coins in precious metals, having much higher intrinsic value than their face value. Most of these by tradition are measured in troy ounces of fractions thereof, but the mint also introduced metric coins measuring one kilogram of pure metal, then also two and five kilograms (they are actually fractionally heavier as a whole, to account for the small amount of other metal in the alloy).
The 5 kg gold coins are denominated as Five Thousand Pounds (£5,000), although their intrinsic (bullion) value is much higher than their face value. The coins vary in design depending on the occasion; they are "one-year" types usually issued in parallel with smaller denominations with the same reverse designs.
The coins are legal tender but are not intended for circulation. They are targeted at collectors who appreciate the special editions as pieces of art or show pieces.
This unique commemorative gold coin weighing five kilograms celebrates British artist Paul McCartney, and is part of the ninth release in the Music Legends coin series by the Royal Mint.
The mint says about it:
Paul McCartney is one of the most successful and enduring British musicians of all time. An undisputed icon of popular culture, his ever-expanding legacy includes countless hits, a long list of industry accolades and critical acclaim on a global level. From his pioneering work with The Beatles in the 1960s to his time in Wings and his continued global success as a solo artist, Paul McCartney is thriving in today’s ever-changing musical landscape, performing to generations of fans at sold-out concerts around the world.
As the only gold example in this format, this bespoke masterpiece is one of the rarest and most exciting issues to emerge from The Royal Mint in the modern era. Measuring a massive 175mm in diameter, it is as impressive and inspiring as the individual that it honors-Paul McCartney. This piece is the largest Proof gold coin produced as part of this series. It also represents the very first time that Paul has been honored on a British coin throughout his seven-decade career.
Throughout the process, The Royal Mint worked directly with Paul McCartney's production company, MPL Communications, and with Paul himself to bring this captivating rarity to life. The reverse was designed by Deborah Osborne and Andrew Ross of the London-based design consultancy Osborne Ross, and it features details from his psychedelic "Magic Piano" and iconic Höfner Violin bass. Complementing this is a truly regal portrait of His Majesty King Charles III on the obverse, designed by renowned British sculptor Martin Jennings.
This work of art took over 250 hours to make (including three days of hand polishing), and was signed by Paul during his 2024 Got Back tour in Paris, France. While four of these gold coins were originally hand crafted, the other three were later inspected and melted as part of the historic Trial of the Pyx ceremony. Only this one piece survives as a crowning jewel for the world's top collectors. | 
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