Celebrate The Who, one of Britain’s most iconic bands
Formed in London in the early 1970s, Queen augmented their hard rock sound with pop sensibilities, redefining the genre and elevating it to another level. Recording a string of smash hits, fans flocked to see them live, their foot-stomping anthems and epic ballads delivered with panache by their flamboyant frontman, tragically gone too soon.
Celebrate David Bowie’s Incredible Musical Legacy
Rosalind Franklin’s brilliant mind and tireless dedication enabled breakthroughs in multiple fields. Best known today for her research into DNA, Franklin was a world authority on the chemical structure of viruses, as well as coal and graphite.
The Lady Behind the Loveable Characters: The Life and Stories of Beatrix Potter™ The wonderful world of Beatrix Potter™ has graced the lives of many; a pioneer of storytelling, she created many small books for many small hands. Both her characters and tales have been cherished for more than 100 years and her legacy lives on through them.
Early in his naval career, James Cook’s detailed charts of the Saint Lawrence River were crucial to a successful British attack against French-held Quebec during the Seven Years War. He was then given his own ship with the mission of charting the island of Newfoundland and his reputation as a fine cartographer helped him to win command of HM Bark Endeavour for his first ‘voyage of discovery’.
Through Music Legends we are celebrating some of the country’s most important and popular artists. No such collection would make sense without the inclusion of Elton John, the superstar who has been delighting fans for more than half a century.
Sir Isaac Newton was the most significant figure of the ‘Scientific Revolution’ of the seventeenth century. His legacy shaped our understanding of mathematics and physics and helped define the modern world. While few people will be unaware of his reputation as a scientist, many do not know that he was Master of the Mint for nearly three decades.
Since her first novel was published in 1811, Jane Austen has delighted readers with her beautifully crafted, satirical tales of Regency-era romance. Her elegant world of courtly balls, carriage rides and country houses offers an escape from modern worries while her heroines’ search for love and happiness continues to strike a chord with readers around the world.
Samuel Pepys began his diary in 1660 and ended up covering nearly a decade of change in Britain. His eyewitness accounts of great events like the coronation of Charles II and the horrors of the Great Fire of London and the Great Plague appear alongside...
Marking the 400th Anniversary of the Death of William Shakespeare. In 2016 The Royal Mint released a series of three £2 coins marking the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. Experienced coinage artist John Bergdahl has created three designs, capturing the essence of his moving tragedies, his brilliant histories, and the genius of his comedies.
A brilliant physicist, Stephen Hawking had a gift for making the complex relatable. Thanks to his keen mind and infectious enthusiasm, a whole new audience grappled with the fundamentals of time and space.
William Wordsworth is one of the most popular poets to have written in the English language. His ode to love and joy, ‘I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud’, commonly known as ‘Daffodils’, is amongst the nation’s favourites. To commemorate the 250th anniversary of his birth and celebrate the life and work of one of Britain’s greatest literary figures, The Royal Mint has struck a special £5 coin.
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