The Royal Mint has introduced a new coin featuring Freddie Mercury, commemorating the 40th anniversary of his iconic Live Aid performance. This coin is part of the Music Legends series, which aims to honor influential British musicians. The design includes an image of Mercury during a performance, his autograph, and elements symbolizing his four-octave vocal range and a studded armband reminiscent of his outfit from Live Aid.
Kashmira Bulsara, Mercury’s sister, participated in the coin’s launch by striking the first coin at The Royal Mint. She expressed pride in honoring her brother through this tribute, suggesting that he would have appreciated the recognition. The Royal Mint plans to donate a special gold proof version of the coin to the Mercury Phoenix Trust, a charity established in his memory. This unique piece will be auctioned to support individuals affected by HIV and AIDS.
Freddie Mercury, born Farrokh Bulsara in 1946, became the lead vocalist and pianist for the rock band Queen. He grew up in Zanzibar and India before moving to England in 1964. Mercury co-founded Queen in 1970, contributing to their classic hits such as “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “We Are the Champions.” Known for his vibrant stage presence, he also pursued a solo career and passed away in 1991 due to complications from AIDS.
The release of the coin coincides with the 40th anniversary of Queen’s legendary performance at Live Aid, where the band played in front of 72,000 people. The set was notable for its engaging audience interaction, particularly when Mercury led the crowd in a memorable chant. The coin will be available for purchase from The Royal Mint starting November 18.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpwv47zyl9do?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss