Freddie Mercury the star of new £5 coin
It will also be available as a £2 and a £200 coin!
Freddie Mercury is being celebrated on new limited edition coins from the Royal Mint.
The coin design depicts the showman mid-performance, accompanied by his signature.
Details on the coin tell the story of Mercury’s extraordinary talent, the Royal Mint said.
The singer’s four-octave vocal range is represented by a musical stave that runs around the edge of the coin, spanning from bass to treble notes.
A studded armband edge design draws inspiration from Mercury’s Live Aid performance outfit.
Some coins also feature colour, bringing the singer’s yellow jacket to life in the coin design.
The coin release comes in the same year as the 40th anniversary of the Live Aid concert which took place in 1985, and also the 40th anniversary of Mercury’s solo studio album, Mr Bad Guy, released in the same year.
Mercury’s sister, Kashmira Bulsara, visited the Royal Mint to strike the first coin.
She said: “Striking the first coin at the Royal Mint was such an emotional and proud moment for me.
“Freddie would have been absolutely delighted to see himself honoured in this way and to know that his family was part of bringing this tribute to life.
“He always had such respect for British traditions and institutions, and to have the Royal Mint celebrate his legacy with such beautiful artistry would have meant the world to him.
“The coin perfectly captures his passion and the joy he brought to millions through his music.”
Gold version to be given to charity
The Royal Mint will also gift a gold proof version of the coin to the Mercury Phoenix Trust, the Aids charity founded in his memory.
The charity will auction the piece in the coming months, continuing Mercury’s mission to support people affected by HIV and Aids.
Prices for the Freddie Mercury coins start at £18.50 for a brilliant uncirculated £5 denomination version and £29.50 for a brilliant uncirculated £5 denomination colour coin.
The collection also includes a 2oz gold proof coin in a £200 denomination, priced at £9,350.
A 1oz silver proof £2 denomination colour coin is also available for £144.50.
As well as being available to buy from the Royal Mint website, a selection of the coins will also be available to buy from the Freddie Mercury store.