Royal Mint launches coins celebrating David Bowie by sending one of them into orbit

Now that’s a Space Oddity! Royal Mint launches coins celebrating David Bowie by sending one of them into orbit… and now you could win it in social media contest

  • David Bowie coins are being sold as part of Royal Mint’s music legends collection
  • One of the coins celebrating the Space Oddity singer was launched into space
  • The silver coin orbited the Earth’s atmosphere for 45 minutes and is being sold

New David Bowie coins are being offered for sale by the Royal Mint as part of its ‘music legends’ collection.

One of the coins celebrating the Starman, Life On Mars? and Space Oddity singer was launched into space.

The one ounce silver proof coin orbited the Earth’s atmosphere for 45 minutes before safely descending, and is now being offered as a prize via the Royal Mint’s Facebook page.

One of the coins celebrating the Starman, Life On Mars? and Space Oddity singer was launched into space

New David Bowie coins are being offered for sale by the Royal Mint as part of its 'music legends' collection.

New David Bowie coins are being offered for sale by the Royal Mint as part of its ‘music legends’ collection.

The latest coin celebrates Bowie with a design inspired by an image from his time spent living and recording in Berlin.

The latest coin celebrates Bowie with a design inspired by an image from his time spent living and recording in Berlin.

Fans can also buy the Bowie-inspired coins from the Royal Mint's website

Fans can also buy the Bowie-inspired coins from the Royal Mint’s website

Prices range from £13 for a brilliant uncirculated £5 coin to a more 'out of this world' £72,195 for a UK kilo gold coin in a denomination of £1,000. A maximum of 11 of the £72,195 gold coins will be minted

Prices range from £13 for a brilliant uncirculated £5 coin to a more ‘out of this world’ £72,195 for a UK kilo gold coin in a denomination of £1,000. A maximum of 11 of the £72,195 gold coins will be minted

The Mint said it will share further details about this through its social media channels and the winner will eventually be selected at random.

Fans can also buy the coins from the Royal Mint’s website.

Prices range from £13 for a brilliant uncirculated £5 coin to a more ‘out of this world’ £72,195 for a UK kilo gold coin in a denomination of £1,000. A maximum of 11 of the £72,195 gold coins will be minted.

A five ounce Bowie gold coin is also available for £11,815, in a maximum mintage of 60 coins.

A quarter ounce gold David Bowie coin is available in the Royal Mint's collection

A quarter ounce gold David Bowie coin is available in the Royal Mint’s collection

A five ounce Bowie gold coin is also available for £11,815, in a maximum mintage of 60 coins

A five ounce Bowie gold coin is also available for £11,815, in a maximum mintage of 60 coins

Born in south London, Bowie started life as David Robert Jones. The quarter gold David Bowie coin has the Queen at the back of its face

Born in south London, Bowie started life as David Robert Jones. The quarter gold David Bowie coin has the Queen at the back of its face

Born in south London, Bowie started life as David Robert Jones. Five days ahead of the Apollo 11 launch in July 1969, Space Oddity was released in the UK.

The pioneering and influential singer whose appearance was chameleon-like died in 2016.

The latest coin celebrates Bowie with a design inspired by an image from his time spent living and recording in Berlin. The coin’s design includes the lightning bolt motif from Aladdin Sane.

Using innovative technology and manufacturing techniques, the lightning bolt that features on several of the special edition coins appears laced with stardust, to create a glitter effect.

The coin's design includes the lightning bolt motif from Aladdin Sane.

The coin’s design includes the lightning bolt motif from Aladdin Sane.

Using innovative technology and manufacturing techniques, the lightning bolt that features on several of the special edition coins appears laced with stardust, to create a glitter effect

Using innovative technology and manufacturing techniques, the lightning bolt that features on several of the special edition coins appears laced with stardust, to create a glitter effect

The David Bowie commemorative coin is the third in the series and follows coins in honour of Queen and Sir Elton John

The David Bowie commemorative coin is the third in the series and follows coins in honour of Queen and Sir Elton John

The David Bowie commemorative coin is the third in the series and follows coins in honour of Queen and Sir Elton John.

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.’

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