Recently the Royal Mint announced a coin featuring the image of former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney.
Now, fellow Beatle John Lennon is also being honoured with a coin in a year that marks what would have been his 85th birthday. Lennon was assassinated in 1980 outside his apartment building in New York City at the age of 40.
After the breakup of The Beatles, Lennon spent a great deal of time advocating for peace.
The coin features a profile portrait of Lennon based on the 1974 Bob Gruen photo taken on the roof of Lennon’s penthouse with his name on the left and “Imagine” on the right.
Director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint Rebecca Morgan spoke on the coin saying, “arguably one of the greatest singers and songwriters of all time, Lennon’s achievements as an artist, activist and advocate for peace continue to live on and will now be forever remembered on a coin.”
Along with Sir Paul, previous artists who have been honoured in the “Music Legends” coin series are Queen, the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, and Dame Shirley Bassey.
Fans can purchase the Lennon coin via the Royal Mint website (RoyalMint.com). Coins are available in various medals and colours. Coins begin at 18.50 pounds ($24) for a five-pound coin. The 200-pound coin sells for 6,420 pound ($8,330).