COIN UPDATE

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The Royal Mint recently issued a new commemorative £5 coin, celebrating the career of musical icon David Bowie, and sent an example of the new coin into space and back to celebrate the launch.

According to The Royal Mint, it is the first time that a UK coin has been sent into space, and celebrates the intergalactic legacy of David Bowie and his hits including Starman, ‘Life on Mars?’ and ‘Space Oddity’. The coin reached 35,656m and orbited the Earth’s atmosphere for 45 minutes before safely descending back to Britain.

The David Bowie commemorative coin is the third in The Royal Mint’s ‘Music Legends’ collection, and follows coins in honour of Queen and Elton John. The latest coin celebrates rock’s definitive ‘chameleon’ with a design inspired by an image of David Bowie from his time spent living and recording in Berlin.

The coin’s design includes the iconic lightning bolt motif from the Aladdin Sane album, and the coin uses the latest technology and manufacturing techniques. The lightning bolt that features on a number of the special edition coins appears laced with stardust to create a glitter effect

Clare Maclennan, Divisional Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint said: ‘We are thrilled to unveil the third coin in The Royal Mint’s Music Legends series, honouring the intergalactic legacy and career of David Bowie. In recognition of Bowie’s first hit single ‘Space Oddity’, we felt it was fitting to send his coin into space and celebrate the Starman in his own pioneering fashion.

‘David Bowie’s music has inspired and influenced generations of musicians and we hope this commemorative coin will be cherished by fans around the world.’