Royal Mint Launches Freddie Mercury Legendary Musician Collection Coin

Freddie Mercury Collectible Coin. (Source: Royal Mint)

JAKARTA - Are you a fan of the legendary musician who is also the vocalist of the Queen band group, Freddie Mercury? Don't miss the opportunity to get his latest collection item.

Last month, the British Royal Mint launched a collection of coins to coincide with the 40th anniversary of his legendary appearance at the monumental "Live Aid" charity concert on July 13, 1985.

Issued by the Royal Mint in Llantrisant, the coin is the latest addition to the Music Legends series, which honours the UK's most influential singers and songwriters.

The design depicts Mercury in the middle of a performance, along with his signature. The singer's four-octave vocal range is represented by a musical parandama that encircles the coin from low notes to high notes, while the studded bracelet engraved along its edges pays homage to his iconic Live Aid outfit.

To celebrate its launch, Mercury's sister, Kashmira Bulsara, visited the Royal Mint to have her first coin minted.

"Minting the first coin at the Royal Mint is a very emotional and proud moment for me," he quoted from the BBC (13/12).

"Freddie would have been so happy to see himself honoured in this way and to know that his family were taking part in realising this tribute," he continued.

"This coin perfectly illustrates his spirit and the joy he gave to millions of people through his music," Bulsara said.

As a fitting tribute to Mercury's philanthropic legacy, the Royal Mint will also donate a special version of the gold proof coin to the Mercury Phoenix Trust, the AIDS charity set up in his memory.

The charity will auction the unique coin in the coming months, continuing Mercury's mission to support those affected by HIV and AIDS.

"Kashmira's visit to mint the first Freddie Mercury coin is very moving and makes this project even more special. Freddie Mercury is not just a musician; he is a force of nature that transforms every stage he steps on. This coin captures that electric energy and celebrates a true global icon whose influence continues to inspire generations. The level of detail in this design, from his signature to the musical notation that represents his incredible vocal range, makes this one of our most special commemorative works," said Director of Commemorative Coins at The Royal Mint Rebecca Morgan, quoted from the Royal Mint website.

Freddie Mercury, born Farrokh Bulsara in 1946, was the lead singer and pianist of the British rock band Queen.

He was raised in Zanzibar and India before his family fled to Britain in 1964 during the Zanzibar Revolution.

In 1970, Mercury formed Queen with guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor, and later wrote many of the band's hit songs, including "Bohemian Rhapsody", "We Are the Champions" and "Don't Stop Me Now".

Known for his theatrical and charismatic stage performances, he also continued his solo career.

In 1991, Mercury died at the age of 45 from bronchial pneumonia, a complication of AIDS.

His name was immortalized in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001, the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2003 and the UK Music Hall of Fame in 2004.

The "Live Aid" charity concert itself is hailed by many as one of the greatest live performances of all time. Queen were originally not scheduled to perform at the 1983-1985 charity concert for Ethiopia's famine.

During the 21-minute performance, the band opened with footage from "Bohemian Rhapsody", before switching to an accelerated version of "Radio Ga Ga", while the audience clapped in unison with Mercury.

He then led 72,000 spectators in an impromptu sing-along of "Aaaaaay-o", which later earned him the nickname "The Note Heard Round the World".

The show ended with short versions of "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions".

Freddie Mercury is the latest music artist to be part of the Royal Mint's ongoing 'Music Legends' coin series, which celebrates the greatest singers and songwriters in British history. Mercury follows in the footsteps of David Bowie, George Michael, Shirley Bassey, and Paul McCartney who have also been immortalised in special British coins for them.

The Music Legends coin series has proved to be very popular among collectors and music fans, with almost half a million coins delivered to fans in 108 countries around the world.

The Music Legends coin series is available to buy from The Royal Mint from 18 November.