Royal Mint launches David Bowie coins by sending one into space
See photos of the commemorative coin range
Last updated 7th Dec 2020
Late music legend David Bowie is being celebrated with a commemorative coin range from The Royal Mint.
Following the launch of Queen coins and Elton John coins in January and July, David Bowie’s posthumous commemorative coins are the third in The Royal Mint’s ‘Music Legends’ series.
The visually striking coins feature an image of David Bowie from the late 1970s when he was working on his trilogy of experimental albums in Berlin - Low (1977), "Heroes" (1977) and Lodger (1979). Alongside this, the design also includes the lightning bolt motif from 1973 album ‘Aladdin Sane’.
Utilising ground-breaking technology and manufacturing techniques, the lightning bolt on a number of the special edition coins appears laced with stardust to create a glitter effect.
To mark the launch, a David Bowie coin has been sent into space. The coin was sent 35,656 metres high and orbited the Earth’s atmosphere for 45 minutes before safely descending back to Britain. It was the first time ever a UK coin was sent into space.
David Bowie coins from The Royal Mint:
David Bowie 2020 UK Quarter-Ounce Gold Proof Coin
David Bowie 2020 UK One Ounce Silver Proof Coin
David Bowie 2020 UK £5 Brilliant Uncirculated Coin – Edition
David Bowie coin in space
Bowie’s career breakthrough was, of course, with the chart-topping single ‘Space Oddity’ in 1969 and he went on to write a number of other songs alluding to space including ‘Life On Mars’, ‘Hallo Spaceboy’, ‘Starman’, ‘The Prettiest Star’, ‘The Stars Are Out Tonight’ and ‘Dancing Out in Space’.
Clare Maclennan, Divisional Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint, says: “We are thrilled to unveil the third coin in The Royal Mint’s ‘Music Legends’ series, honouring the intergalactic legacy and career of David Bowie.
“In recognition of Bowie’s first hit single ‘Space Oddity’, we felt it was fitting to send his coin into space and celebrate the Starman in his own pioneering fashion. David Bowie’s music has inspired and influenced generations of musicians and we hope this commemorative coin will be cherished by fans around the world.”
There are three ranges of David Bowie coins - Gold Proof Commemorative Coins, Silver Proof Commemorative Coins and Uncirculated Commemorative Coins.
They range in price from £13 for the David Bowie 2020 UK £5 Brilliant Uncirculated Coin right up to a massive £72,195.00 for the David Bowie 2020 UK Kilo Gold Proof Coin.
There’s also a chance to win the historic coin that was propelled into space via The Royal Mint’s Facebook page.
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