Royal Mint to release commemorative John Lennon coin

It depicts a side profile of John, taken on the roof of his penthouse in New York.

British coin collectors will be able to buy a coin commemorating the life and career of the late Beatles star John Lennon from Monday.

The coin is being released by the Royal Mint in the year of what would have been John’s 85th birthday.

The design features a portrait of the singer, based on an image taken by music industry photographer Bob Gruen. It depicts a side profile of John, taken on the roof of his penthouse in New York, with his name to the left of the portrait while the word “Imagine” features on the right side of the design in a reference to his iconic single and album.

Coin designer Henry Gray incorporated the portrait of John to feature at the centre of the design. John, who died at the age of 40 in 1980, follows fellow Beatle Sir Paul McCartney, Queen, David Bowie and Dame Shirley Bassey in being honoured on a Royal Mint coin. The Royal Mint has an ongoing “music legends” coin series, celebrating singers and songwriters.

Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, said: “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.

"Lennon’s portrait has been captured in meticulous detail and in a fitting tribute will be released in the year which the artist would have celebrated his 85th birthday. Still admired by millions of people and generations worldwide, we hope this coin and its design will be treasured for many years to come.”

John's fans and coin collectors will be able to buy the coins from the Royal Mint’s website from 9am on Monday March 17. Prices will start at £18.50 and they will be available in a range of precious metals, including colour editions, the Mint said.

The Beatles recently won a Grammy for best rock performance for the song 'Now And Then', which was finished decades after it was recorded. The remastered track was sourced from a Lennon demo recorded in the 1970s.

John's son Sean picked up the gong on behalf of the group and said: "The world can’t afford to forget about people like The Beatles, we need this music in the world, we need peace and love and we need the magic of the 60s to stay alive.”

In December, the Royal Mint unveiled a coin collection celebrating Paul McCartney's career, with his iconic and psychedelic Magic Piano as well as several references to his record-breaking career - including piano notes personally chosen by him, a Höfner Violin Bass guitar and the Wings logo.

The design was officially approved by The Beatles legend and marks the first time he has appeared on an official UK coin. The £5 coin collection is available in a range of finishes, as well as coloured editions which brings the Magic Piano to life for fans.

About the coin collection, Paul McCartney said "This feels like a huge honour. It’s not anything I would have ever expected to happen when I was a kid."