Related Articles
Sir Elton John has described new Royal Mint coins celebrating his career as both “fabulous” and “humbling”.
The Royal Mint will be selling coins – one of which will cost almost £65,000 – engraved with Sir Elton’s distinctive glasses and a straw boater hat to commemorate his music career, which spans more than half a century.
Artist Bradley Morgan Johnson used a musical note design to create round-rimmed glasses topped with a hat and bow tie, featuring a Union Jack flag background.
The collectors’ coins will be sold for up to nearly £65,000, while a one-off version will be auctioned to raise money for the Elton John Charitable Trust.
Commenting on the design, Sir Elton said: “It really is a fabulous honour to be recognised in this way.
“The last few years have contained some of the most memorable moments of my career, and this is another truly humbling milestone on my journey.”
The collection is the second of the Royal Mint’s Music Legends series, which celebrates long-standing British musicians.
Designs will be available for purchase in gold, silver, and highly collectable editions ranging from £13 for the “Rocket Man” coin, to £64,950 for heavier gold designs.
The high-end coins in this collection include designs showing a pulsating star pattern in the glasses’ lens, a piano-patterned edge, and a more three-dimensional finish.
Elton John’s glittering career, in pictures
1/14 1973
At Noel Edmonds’ record shop in the King’s Road, Chelsea signing copies of his album, Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player.
Getty Images
2/14 1974
On stage before a vast crowd at an open-air concert.
Getty Images
3/14 1977
With star of musicals Peter Straker, and Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of Queen.
Getty Images
4/14 1982
Performing in a colourful costume at the Hammersmith Odeon.
Getty Images
5/14 1986
Tucking into a homemade pie while in a Sydney cafe.
Getty Images
6/14 1998
With Tony Blair, Stevie Wonder and Bill Clinton at the White House.
AFP/Getty Images
7/14 2000
With Sting, frontman of the Police, in Los Angeles.
AFP/Getty Images
8/14 2001
On stage with Eminem at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
AFP/Getty Images
9/14 2004
Performing at the Caesar’s Palace Hotel in Las Vegas.
Getty Images
10/14 2007
Paying tribute to Princess Diana at Wembley Stadium.
Getty Images
11/14 2010
Playing alongside Lady Gaga at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards.
Getty Images
12/14 2013
Joined on stage by Ed Sheeran in Los Angeles.
Getty Images
13/14 2017
Delighting a London crowd at Twickenham Stoop.
14/14 2018
Performing in New York before a press conference.
AFP/Getty Images
1/14 1973
At Noel Edmonds’ record shop in the King’s Road, Chelsea signing copies of his album, Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player.
Getty Images
2/14 1974
On stage before a vast crowd at an open-air concert.
Getty Images
3/14 1977
With star of musicals Peter Straker, and Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of Queen.
Getty Images
4/14 1982
Performing in a colourful costume at the Hammersmith Odeon.
Getty Images
5/14 1986
Tucking into a homemade pie while in a Sydney cafe.
Getty Images
6/14 1998
With Tony Blair, Stevie Wonder and Bill Clinton at the White House.
AFP/Getty Images
7/14 2000
With Sting, frontman of the Police, in Los Angeles.
AFP/Getty Images
8/14 2001
On stage with Eminem at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
AFP/Getty Images
9/14 2004
Performing at the Caesar’s Palace Hotel in Las Vegas.
Getty Images
10/14 2007
Paying tribute to Princess Diana at Wembley Stadium.
Getty Images
11/14 2010
Playing alongside Lady Gaga at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards.
Getty Images
12/14 2013
Joined on stage by Ed Sheeran in Los Angeles.
Getty Images
13/14 2017
Delighting a London crowd at Twickenham Stoop.
14/14 2018
Performing in New York before a press conference.
AFP/Getty Images
Clare Maclennan, divisional director of commemorative coins and the Royal Mint Experience, said: “Elton John is without a doubt a British music legend and is recognised as one of the most successful singer-songwriters of his generation.
“We are delighted to honour Elton’s significant contribution to British music on a UK coin.”
In addition to the coin collection, Sir Elton is also working with the Royal Mint to create a special one-off collector’s piece, which will be auctioned for the Elton John Charitable Trust later this year.
The coin will help raise vital funds at a time when the wider charity sector has been hit with a reduction in donations.
Bravado, Universal Music Group’s leading merchandise and brand management company, organised the collaboration.
Sir Elton’s career has previously been honoured with a set of stamps from the Royal Mail.
PA Media contirbuted to this article
Source link
