Like many other mints, the Royal Mint issues bullion coins in precious metals, having much higher intrinsic value than their face value. The one ounce (1 oz) silver coins are denominated as either two pounds (£2) or five pounds (£5), depending on the occasion.
Initially, these were only of the Britannia type, but in 2015 the Royal Mint started to use the format for coins with other types of reverse designs, celebrating various aspects of British heritage.
The coins are legal tender but are not intended for circulation. They are targeted at bullion investors or collectors who appreciate the special editions as pieces of art.
This commemorative silver one-ounce coin celebrating David Bowie is the third in the Music Legends coin series by the Royal Mint (after the first dedicated to Queen and the second dedicated to Sir Elton John).
Born in Brixton, South London, in 1947, David Bowie began life as David Robert Jones. By the time he was 19 he had taken on his iconic name and was taking the first steps in one of the most innovative and influential careers in the history of sound and vision. His music electrified generations, and his perpetual state of reinvention kept music fans enthralled.
The Royal Mint says: "The third coin in our Music Legends collection celebrates rock’s definitive chameleon with a design inspired by an image of the singer from his time spent living and recording in Berlin. The inclusion of the lightning bolt motif from the Aladdin Sane era captures Bowie’s career journey, and the moment he finally put aside the props to emerge as an artist in his own right."
Jody Clark's reverse celebrates rock’s definitive chameleon with a design inspired by an image of the singer from his time spent living and recording in Berlin. The inclusion of the lightning bolt motif from the Aladdin Sane era captures Bowie’s career journey, and the moment he finally put aside the props to emerge as an artist in his own right. |