Freddie Mercury 2026 UK brilliant

The Royal Mint's collectible series of commemorative coins is dedicated to the greatest phenomena of the British music scene. Another musical icon is the unique Freddie Mercury.

"I won't be a star. I'll be a legend." Inimitable, brilliant, eccentric, extravagant – that was singer and composer Freddie Mercury, not only on stage but also in his private life. He won the hearts of millions of people around the world primarily as the frontman of the band Queen, which fundamentally changed the face of popular music. The quartet consisting of Freddie Mercury (vocals, piano), Brian May (guitar, vocals), John Deacon (bass guitar, keyboards), and Roger Taylor (drums, vocals) gave us tender ballads and stadium hard rock, rhythmic funk and ethereal gospel, as well as operatic madness that seemed to come from another world. Freddie captivated eager audiences with experimental yet catchy songs that were complex and grandiose, melodically and vocally brilliant, with many rhythmic twists and turns. His four-octave range made him one of the best vocalists of all time, but his flamboyant performances also played a major role in his success. On stage, in addition to his original musical ideas, he displayed boundless energy and wore eccentric costumes. A musical rebel, showman, visionary, and pioneer, he left the world prematurely—as a true legend. His music, which gives listeners goosebumps and brings tears to their eyes, is, without exaggeration, immortal.

The reverse side of the coin, designed by artist Henry Gray, depicts Freddie Mercury in the midst of a performance. He is wearing the iconic jacket he wore at the Wembley Stadium concert, and the geometric shapes around the edge of the reverse commemorate the studs on the bracelet the charismatic showman wore at the Live Aid concert. The musical stave expresses the singer's four-octave vocal range, and his signature completes the composition. The obverse side of the coin features the attributes of the issuer – i.e. the nominal value of 5 POUNDS (GBP), a portrait of King Charles III, the text "CHARLES III D G REX F D" (Charles III, by the grace of God, King, Defender of the Faith) and the year of issue 2025.

An integral part of the coin is its special packaging full of photographs and interesting facts (in English).