We think it’s fair to say that Music Legends, the Royal Mints trawl through the epic popular modern music history of Britain, has been a big success. It debuted in 2020 with ‘Queen’, and it currently brings us to the second issue of 2025, and the eleventh to date – Iron Maiden, the cult London rock band celebrating their 50th anniversary.

Iron Maiden coins are actually something well covered in the modern numismatic world, with industry giants CIT having a range running for five years to 2024, in a wide range of styles, including foils, and they made heavy use of the band’s iconic mascot, Eddie. The Royal Mint’s new proof range also features Eddie, but here, the composition is not based on a specific album cover, but is a custom piece by Iron Maiden artist Albert ‘Akirant’ Quirantes, incorporating many different elements from their career into a single design. Kudos to the mint for going that route, rather than have an in-house artist with less knowledge of the band, do it. It’s an excellent summation of the band that is sure to please the band’s legions of fans.

The range remains unchanged, with four gold coins ranging from two ounces, to just 0.8 grams, and prices from £110, to just shy of £7000. Silver comes in one, two, and five ounce weights, and there are base metal variants available in coloured (on sale exclusively at the mint), and cleanly struck variants. Mintages are down across the board compared to the John Lennon coin. Check out our Thematic Guide for a look at the full range, and if you want to buy, please click the banner below, as we get a small, much-needed commission at no cost to you. We’re hoping this series runs and runs, as the standard is high, and many artists are not yet covered, so who’s next? Available later this morning, I believe at 9am UK time.

PRESS RELEASE: The Royal Mint has today unveiled an eye-catching commemorative coin celebrating 50 years of Iron Maiden. The East London icons are joining the ranks of musical royalty in The Royal Mint’s Music Legends series, which has previously celebrated the likes of Queen, Elton John, and David Bowie. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail by contemporary Iron Maiden artist Albert ‘Akirant’ Quirantes, the design features the band’s infamous mascot Eddie in a dynamic pose that will strike a chord with fans worldwide. The design features numerous hidden ‘Easter eggs’ referencing the band’s illustrious career, albums and world tours – giving collectors plenty to hunt for.

Iron Maiden, who formed in 1975, worked closely with The Royal Mint throughout the design process, ensuring the coin captures the essence of a band whose influence has spanned five decades and counting. With a global footprint that spans the planet, Iron Maiden are one of the biggest success stories in British music, and with the international nature of coin-collecting this new commemorative piece – the first official collectable product to bear the 50th Anniversary logo is sure to delight and excite collectors and fans alike.

Rod Smallwood, Maiden’s Manager; “Having Eddie on an official UK coin is a continuation of his incredible odyssey since we unearthed him back in 1980. We’ve been on stamps, beer bottles, plane tails and now legal tender! The detail Akirant has managed to pack into the design is superb – there are little nods to virtually every chapter of our journey as a band. We’re truly honoured that The Royal Mint has chosen to commemorate 50 years of Iron Maiden in such a unique way.”

Rebecca Morgan, Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint, commented: “Iron Maiden have been fearless pioneers in music, flying the flag for Britain around the globe for half a century. Their creative vision, powerful performances and dedicated following have earned them a place as one of Britain’s most influential bands. This coin is the perfect fusion of metal on metal and we expect it will prove to be a collector’s piece that’s highly sought after by both numismatists and passionate rock fans alike.”

Albert ‘Akirant’ Quirantes, designer of the Iron Maiden coin said, “Designing the Iron Maiden coin has been one of the most thrilling projects of my career. As a lifelong fan of the band, and Derek Riggs’ original creations in the ‘80s, I wanted to capture not just their iconic imagery, but also the rebellious spirit that has defined their music for decades. I’ve hidden several references within the design that true fans will enjoy discovering, including subtle nods to classic album artwork and their most beloved songs. It’s my tribute to a band that has influenced generations of music lovers all over the world, and I hope fans will spend time exploring every detail just as passionately as they’ve analysed the band’s lyrics over the years.”