The U.K.’s Royal Mint is saluting Paul McCartney’s incredible career by releasing a new official coin in his honor. The five-pound coin’s design, which was approved by McCartney, celebrates various important aspects of his musical history.
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The psychedelic design of the Beatles legend’s colorful “Magic Piano” serves as the background of the coin, which also features piano notes personally chosen by McCartney, a Höfner violin bass guitar, and the Wings logo. The Royal Mint is selling the McCartney coin in various finishes and sizes, and in an array of different packaging options. One edition features the multi-colored rainbow design of the “Magic Piano,” an instrument that Paul regularly plays onstage.
“This feels like a huge honor,” McCartney said in a statement. “It’s not anything I would have ever expected to happen when I was a kid.”
The various versions of the Paul McCartney coin can be purchased now at TheRoyalMint.com.
Comments from Royal Mint Executive Rebecca Morgan
Rebecca Morgan, The Royal Mint’s Director of Commemorative Coin, shared her own statement about the new coin.
“Our coins recognize the greatest icons and events in British history, so it’s fitting that Paul McCartney’s remarkable music career is now celebrated on an official UK coin,” she said. “What makes this coin extra special is that Paul has been involved throughout the design process. The coin celebrates elements from throughout his solo career, and we hope fans will enjoy the layered references to songs, instruments and bands.”
[RELATED: 12 Photos That Capture Paul McCartney’s Legendary Journey]
McCartney Received a Special Version of the Coin
The Royal Mint also created a one-off version of the coin shaped like a guitar pick to present to McCartney. The special coin was inspired by Paul’s use of pennies as guitar picks during the early days of his career. The pick-shaped coin was produced utilizing sustainable gold taken from e-waste from The Royal Mint’s factory in South Wales, U.K.
Special Gold Version of the Coin Will Be Released in 2025
In early 2025, The Royal Mint will auction off a gold version of the coin signed by McCartney. The five-kilo coin took more than 250 hours to produce. Paul signed the coin recently while he was in Paris for the latest leg of his Got Back Tour.
Other Music Legends Celebrated with Coins by The Royal Mint
McCartney is the latest in a series of British music legends saluted with commemorative coins by The Royal Mint. The others are David Bowie, Queen, Elton John, The Who, The Rolling Stones, Shirley Bassey, The Police, and George Michael.
About McCartney’s Remaining 2024 Tour Plans
McCartney recently launched a 2024 European leg of his Got Back Tour with a December 4-5 engagement in Paris. Paul has six more dates left on the trek, scheduled for December 9-10 in Madrid; December 14-15 in Manchester, U.K.; and December 18-19 in London.
Tickets for McCartney’s forthcoming concerts can be purchased now via a variety of outlets, including StubHub.
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