FREDDIE MERCURY celebrated on U.K.’s Royal Mint collectible coin

QUEEN singer FREDDIE MERCURY celebrated on U.K.'s Royal Mint collectible coin

19-11-2025

Rock and roll history is set to be immortalized as The Royal Mint unveils a U.K. coin to celebrate one of the greatest showmen of all time, Freddie Mercury — an extraordinary tribute to the rock icon whose voice and showmanship defined generations.

The collectible coin captures Mercury mid-performance at the height of his powers, showcasing the flamboyant frontman in full flow with his signature inscribed alongside his portrait. The design’s intricate details tell the story of Mercury‘s extraordinary talent through carefully crafted design elements.

Freddie‘s legendary four-octave vocal range is represented by a musical stave that runs around the edge of the coin, spanning from bass to treble notes. The studded armband edge design draws inspiration from his iconic Live Aid performance outfit, a fitting tribute to what many consider the greatest rock performance of all time. A selection of the coins will also feature color, bringing Freddie‘s iconic yellow jacket to life on the coin design and capturing the vibrant energy that made him such a magnetic stage presence.

This celebration comes at a particularly poignant time, commemorating the 40th anniversary of QUEEN‘s show-stealing performance at Live Aid in July 1985 and also the 40th anniversary of Freddie‘s first solo studio album, “Mr Bad Guy”, released the same year, reminding fans of his versatility as both a QUEEN member and solo artist who pushed creative boundaries throughout his career.

In a special moment that brought the coin’s creation full circle, Freddie Mercury‘s sister, Kashmira Bulsara, visited The Royal Mint to strike the very first coin herself, making her an integral part of this historic tribute to her brother’s legacy.

Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at The Royal Mint, said: “Having Kashmira visit us to strike the first Freddie Mercury coin was incredibly moving and made this project even more special. Freddie Mercury wasn’t just a musician; he was a force of nature who transformed every stage he stepped onto. This coin captures that electric energy and celebrates a truly global icon whose influence continues to inspire generations. The level of detail in this design, from his signature to the musical stave representing his incredible vocal range, makes this one of our most special commemorative pieces.”

Kashmira Bulsara, Freddie Mercury‘s sister, commented: “Striking the first coin at The Royal Mint was such an emotional and proud moment for me. Freddie would have been absolutely delighted to see himself honored in this way and to know that his family was part of bringing this tribute to life.”

Kashmira added, “He always had such respect for British traditions and institutions, and to have The Royal Mint celebrate his legacy with such beautiful artistry would have meant the world to him. The coin perfectly captures his passion and the joy he brought to millions through his music.”

The Freddie Mercury collectible coin continues The Royal Mint‘s tradition of celebrating British cultural icons who have left an indelible mark on the world stage. From his early days with QUEEN through to his final performances, Mercury‘s legacy as one of Britain’s greatest entertainers is now preserved forever on an official U.K. coin.

In a fitting tribute to Mercury‘s philanthropic legacy, The Royal Mint will also gift a special gold proof version of the coin to the Mercury Phoenix Trust, the AIDS charity founded in his memory. The charity will auction this unique piece in the coming months, continuing Mercury‘s mission to support those affected by HIV and AIDS.

Freddie Mercury is the latest music artist to form part of The Royal Mint‘s ongoing “Music Legends” coin series, celebrating the greatest singer and songwriters in British history. Mercury follows the likes of David Bowie, George Michael, Shirley Bassey and Paul McCartney in being honored on their very own U.K. coin. The Music Legends coin series has proved hugely popular with collectors and music fans, delivering nearly half a million coins to enthusiasts in 108 countries around the world.

The collection is available from 9 a.m. on November 18, with prices starting from £18.50.

For more information and to purchase from The Royal Mint, visit www.royalmint.com.

In an interview with Mojo magazine earlier this year, QUEEN guitarist Brian May addressed the possibility of him and his bandmates releasing new material.

“I think it could happen,” he said. “Both Roger [Taylor, QUEEN drummer] and I are constantly writing and coming up with ideas and doing things in our studios. I could have the beginnings of a QUEEN song right there in front of me now. It’s just whether the idea reaches maturity or not. It’s whether that seed can grow.”

Last October, Taylor was equally hopeful QUEEN would release new music, telling Uncut magazine: “I think we might.

“Brian and myself were talking the other day, and we both said that if we feel we have some good material, why not?” he continued. “We can still play. We can still sing. So I don’t see why not.”

In September 2024 Brian May revealed he suffered a minor stroke.

Although the episode initially left the 77-year-old rock legend unable to use his left arm, he has since regained enough movement to be able to play music again.

“The good news is that I can play guitar after the events of the last few days,” he said in a video posted earlier today (Wednesday, September 4) on his web site. “I say this because it was in some doubt because that little health hiccup that I mentioned happened about a week ago, and what they called it was a minor stroke. All of a sudden — out of the blue — I didn’t have any control over this arm. So it was a little scary, I have to say.”

May was rushed to Frimley Park Hospital in Camberley, Surrey where he received “the most fantastic care and attention; blue lights flashing the lot, very exciting.”

Brian went on to say that he did not want to go public with his minor stroke at the time “because I didn’t want anything surrounding it. I really don’t want sympathy. Please don’t do that, because it’ll clutter up my inbox, and I hate that. The good news is I’m okay. I’m just doing what I’m told, which is basically nothing. I’m grounded, I’m not allowed to go out, drive, get on a plane, I’m not allowed to raise the heart rate too high. But I am good.”

May‘s stroke came four years after he had a “small” heart attack. At the time, he said was shocked to realize he wasn’t as healthy as he thought, and he was “very near death”. He discovered three arteries were “congested and in danger of blocking the supply of blood to my heart”, and subsequently had surgery to fit three stents — tiny tubes to hold open blocked arteries.

Four and a half years ago, May had to be hospitalized after he tore his buttocks “to shreds” while gardening. As a result, he developed severe sciatica and suffered what he later described as a “small heart attack” from the medication. May then had a bad reaction to his heart attack medication and nearly died. More recently, Brian underwent cataract eye surgery.

He later said that he believed that coronavirus may have played a role in his heart attack because of the way the virus thickened the blood. As a result, he said he was living a “ridiculously careful” life with actress wife Anita Dobson — whom he credited with saving his life.

“She was incredible,” he told the Daily Express back in 2020. “I couldn’t do anything and she just kind of nursed me, so I will forever be in her debt; she did an incredible job on me.”

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