Silver Ounce 2021 Music Legends - The Who, Proof, Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

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 The Who is the fourth in the Music Legends coin series by the Royal Mint; earlier coins commemorated Queen, Sir Elton John and David Bowie.

The Who are an English rock band formed in London in 1964. Their classic lineup consisted of lead singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist and singer Pete Townshend, bass guitarist and singer John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon. They are considered one of the most influential rock bands of the 20th century and have sold over 100 million records worldwide. They are cited as an influence by many hard rock, punk rock and mod bands, and their songs still receive regular exposure.

The Royal Mint says:
"Our Music Legends collection showcases iconic acts from the nation’s diverse musical past and present. It is not often that a band will span generations, but The Who, with their explosive performances, have been a part of Britain’s soundtrack for more than 50 years. Together, groundbreaking lead guitarist Pete Townshend, microphone-twirling Roger Daltrey, John ‘The Ox’ Entwistle, and maverick drummer Keith Moon challenged genres, broke records and thrilled fans with their unique style.

Artist Henry Gray has included some of the most iconic symbols from the band’s live and loud performances in his design. A Union flag, mod logo and speaker-smashing Rickenbacker guitar all feature in the form of a pinball table, which is a nod to Tommy, one of the band’s most famous creations."

The silver ounce features a bespoke edge - exclusive to this coin - with the words "Pinball Wizard" to reflect the design and the iconic song.