THE MODERN MUSICAL WORLD: A multi-mint round-up of silver and gold coins
Despite the prevalence of music in the modern world, there really hadn’t been much interest in the numismatic world up until just a few short years ago. Ironically, it was headbangers AC/DC that sparked the modern renaissance, with both the Royal Australian Mint (the band hails from there), and CIT issuing coins for their anniversary in 2018.
With licencing being as complex as it is, CIT soon moved onto Iron Maiden, leaving the RAM as the sole AC/DC producer, but it wasn’t long before the selection spread, with MTB-PAMP bringing the iconic instrument manufacturer, Fender, into the mix, with an unusual range of guitar picks, and miniature guitar-shaped offerings. The Crown Mint added The Rolling Stones, and The Beatles, with equally unusual issues.
Of more surprise was the Royal Mint jumping in with a traditional, but high quality range of proof and bullion coins featuring some of the biggest names in music history, and we’re expecting all of these producers to continue with the genre. As always, we’ll keep updating this guide with all the new releases we can, and fill in gaps we’ve missed, which you can track in the Changelog below.
NOTE: Crown Mint have disappeared, so be careful before attempting to pick up their products.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- FENDER SHAPED GUITARS (MTB-PAMP)
- FENDER STRATOCASTER 70TH MYSTERY BOX (MTB-PAMP)
- FENDER ‘BASSMAN’ GUITAR/AMP SET (MTB-PAMP)
- FENDER GUITAR PICKS (MTB-PAMP)
- MUSIC LEGENDS PROOF RANGE (Royal Mint)
- MUSIC LEGENDS BULLION RANGE (Royal Mint)
- ELTON JOHN CHARITY MEDALLION (Royal Mint)
- BON SCOTT (The Perth Mint)
- ARETHA FRANKLIN (The Perth Mint)
- IRON MAIDEN COLLECTION (CIT Coin Invest)
- AC/DC COLLECTION (CIT Coin Invest)
- AC/DC 45 YEARS OF THUNDER (Royal Australian Mint)
- AC/DC 50TH ANNIVERSARY (Royal Australian Mint)
- AC/DC ANNIVERSARIES SET (Royal Australian Mint)
- AC/DC ANNIVERSARIES SET 2 (Royal Australian Mint)
- MOTORHEAD (MDM Wholesale)
- THE ROLLING STONES ‘TONGUE & LIPS’ 50th (Crown Mint)
- THE BEATLES (Crown Mint)
This range kicked off in 2021 with a two-coin series featuring a Stratocaster, and a Telecaster guitar-shaped silver coin. They seemed to be immensely popular, and PAMP were no doubt kicking themselves for pre-announcing this as stopping after just two coins. However, the simple solution was to start a new series, and one with a very cool idea, sure to appeal to admirers of Fender and their popular instruments.
Series Two was born with the idea the iconic colours Fender painted the Stratocaster, often in limited numbers, would look great on a coin series. Based around those most liked colours on the cars of the day, the shades are reproduced here. We think they’re right. The mintages are quite a bit higher, reflecting the popularity of Series One. All have great packaging, sporting images based on the ad campaigns of the time.
DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
$2 Solomon Islands | 31.1 grams 0.9999 silver | Circa 29 x 88 mm | Reverse proof, colour | Varied, see above |
Possibly the ultimate example of Fender guitar-shaped coins is this late 2024 set, tapping into the randomised contents nature of the New Zealand Mint’s Trading Coin concept, although in a much fairer and more realistic manner. It’s the 70th anniversary of Fender’s most iconic product, the Stratocaster guitar, and MTB/PAMP issued what they call their ‘Mystery Box’.
The idea is simple enough. You’re buying a single guitar-shaped coin, continuing the mints awesome practice of paying homage to the colourful history of the iconic music brand. The difference here is, you don’t know which of the five colour designs you will get. Each of the five has a different mintage, although all of them combined are capped at 5,000 pieces. The mintages vary according to the rarity of the original guitar the colour scheme is based on, and they vary from just 70 for the rare ‘Sunburst’ scheme, to 1930 for the relatively common ‘Amethyst’.
I’m really not a fan of randomised contents on something like precious metals, where the unit cost is so high, and the subsequent disappointment on not getting the one you wanted, equally so, but this does seem to be the least problematic version of the concept, and it’s just so well implemented, right down to the innovative packaging, that to be overly critical seems quite petty. Here’s hoping you get that ‘Sunburst’
DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
$2 Solomon Islands | 31.1 grams 0.9999 silver | 29.5 x 86.5 mm | Reverse proof, colour | 5,000 |
The latest is an extended version of the guitar concept. Rather than the usual Stratocaster, or Telecaster guitars, we’re being offered the Fender Precision Bass. The coin is formed in the same style, but the colour is more ambitious and less monolithic than before, and the patterning on the obverse is different, and placed on the body only.
However, the big change for this release is the inclusion of a second one-ounce coin. Joining the guitar is the equally legendary amplifier that accompanied it in an effort to create a unique sound, something the combo did to great effect in the world of Soul Music especially. The Bassman is also shaped and coloured. We have to give a special nod to the obverse, which continues the theme and is packed with inscribed details from the original amp.
DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
$2 Solomon Islands | 31.1 grams 0.9999 silver | 28.6 x 86.5 mm | Reverse proof, colour | 4,000 |
$2 Solomon Islands | 31.1 grams 0.9999 silver | 28.6 x 86.5 mm | Reverse proof, colour | 4,000 |
Formed in five grams of sterling silver, the first one in this range was touted as being playable, no doubt the reasoning behind 0.925 fineness metal, rather than the softer 0.999 type. Indeed, metal picks are said to have a ‘brighter’ sound, and are used to create a signature sound by such players as Queen’s Brian May. Also hinting at its usability is the pattern grip on both sides, and it follows the basically triangular shape, with its rounded points, perfectly.
This was followed by a slightly bigger one, although doubled in weight. The last 2021 release was an actual denominated coin in 0.9999 silver, with colouring. Far bigger than the earlier pair, this was definitely one for the numismatic crowd above any practical consideration, unless you like to strum the cello, of course… The range returned in 2024 with a Stratocaster anniversary release, with a serialised obverse, but not a coin.
COIN | DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
(A) | NONE | 5.0 grams 0.925 silver | 30 x 25 mm | Prooflike | Unltd |
(B) & (D) | NONE | 10.0 grams 0.925 silver | 31.5 x 27.4 mm | Prooflike | See above |
(C) | $2 Solomon Islands | 31.1 grams 0.9999 silver | 42.3 x 50 mm | Prooflike | 2,500 |
One of the best of the traditional coin ranges out there, the Royal Mint’s ‘Music Legends’ series is on its fifth issue at the time of writing. The release is a collaboration with Bravado, a brand management company representing the giant Universal Music Group (UMG). ‘Music Legends’ is to be a series showcasing some of the incredible music talents that have been birthed in the United Kingdom. If the whole series is to be as represented by UMG, that would include such artists as Elton John, George Michael, U2, The Who and Amy Winehouse. Sadly, it also includes the Spice Girls…
The range of formats is extensive, with three silver weights (the smallest coming with a coloured name), and five gold, topping out at over £75k with the one-kilo gold. All are boxed, with a Certificate of Authenticity, and a themed shipper. For those on a budget, or are just casual fans, there’s a base-metal, brilliant uncirculated variant with an unlimited mintage, although the Royal Mint is directly selling the same thing with the coloured logo for a higher price, and that one has a mintage limit of 20,000 pieces.
DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
£1 UKP | 15.71 grams 0.999 silver | 27.0 mm | Proof | Varied 10,000-20,000 |
£2 UKP | 31.21 grams 0.999 silver | 38.61 mm | Proof, colour | Varied 8,000-10,000 |
£5 UKP | 62.42 grams 0.999 silver | 40.0 mm | Proof | Varied circa 550 |
£10 UKP | 156.3 grams 0.999 silver | 65.0 mm | Proof | Varied circa 500 |
£25 UKP | 7.80 grams 0.9999 gold | 22.0 mm | Proof | Varied circa 1,000-1,400 |
£100 UKP | 31.21 grams 0.9999 gold | 32.69 mm | Proof | Varied circa 300-400 |
£200 UKP | 62.42 grams 0.9999 gold | 400 mm | Proof | Varied circa 50-150 |
£500 UKP | 156.3 grams 0.9999 gold | 50.0 mm | Proof | Varied circa 60 |
£1,000 UKP | 1005 grams 0.9999 gold | 100.0 mm | Proof | Varied 4-10 |
Bullion versions of the base designs from the ‘Music Legends’ range, these seem to be very popular, no doubt aided by the neat designs, and the very small mintages for the Royal Mint. Exclusively distributed by US company, Manfra, Tordella & Brookes (a PAMP company), you can pick these up reasonably easily, although they do sell through quickly.
As a bullion coin, these come encapsulated only, but at some very keen prices compared to the proof range.
DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
$2 UKP | 31.1 grams 0.999 silver | 38.61 mm | Brilliant uncirculated | 25,000 |
£100 UKP | 31.1 grams 0.9999 gold | 38.61 mm | Brilliant uncirculated | 2,500 |
Elton John has a long history of charitable work through his Elton John’s UK Charitable Foundation, helping over 100 organisations with financial and promotional support, and he and the Royal Mint collaborated to produce this one-off medallion, to be auctioned for the foundation.
Whether you like Elton’s music or not, there’s no arguing this is a simply stunning piece of numismatic art. The reverse design from the proof coin range is brought to life in part-gilded silver and looks phenomenal. The edge of the medallion is also gilded, and carries the name of the foundation. The obverse has five concentric rings of inscriptions listing out his favourite songs, in the centre of which is a gilded area carrying a reproduction of Elton’s signature.
It was auctioned, with a starting price of £12,000, but likely made a good six-figure sum given the musician’s popularity and the industry he works in. The medallion weighs around five kilos, and is a huge 185 mm in diameter. It’s a wonderful idea, and a fantastic testament to the expertise of the Royal Mint and the tireless work of a music legend helping the less fortunate. More here.
DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
NONE | Approx 5 kg 0.999 silver | 185.0 mm | Hand-finished, gilded | 1 |
Many believe Bon Scott to be the greatest rock ‘n roll singer of all time. Born Ronald Belford Scott in Scotland on 9 July 1946, his family moved to Australia in 1952, settling in Fremantle, Western Australia, where he cut his musical teeth. On joining AC/DC in 1974, his inimitable stage presence and distinctive, raspy vocals were key elements in the band’s rise to international super stardom. Together, they recorded and performed some of the most enduring hard rock ever known.
The coin portrays a coloured image of Bon Scott wearing a denim jacket with cut off sleeves. The design includes the inscription ‘BON SCOTT’ in which the first ‘O’ is overlain with a ‘lion rampant’ holding a microphone, and a representation of ‘Bon’ in handwritten lettering.
DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
$1 TVD (Tuvalu) | 31.107 g of 0.9999 silver | 40.9 mm | Proof, Colour | 5,000 |
Aretha Franklin is considered by many to be the greatest singer of all time. With a career spanning nearly six decades, during which she recorded 112 singles that charted in the US, her unmistakable sound earned her the iconic epithet, the ‘Queen of Soul’. In 1967, a pivotal year of protest, she recorded Otis Redding’s Respect, injecting it with new life and urgency that was perfectly in tune with the public mood. As her signature track, it remains an anthem for female empowerment.
The coin portrays a black and white image of Aretha Franklin singing in front of a microphone. The design includes a representation of ‘Aretha!’ in handwritten lettering.
DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
$1 TVD (Tuvalu) | 31.107 g of 0.9999 silver | 40.9 mm | Proof, Colour | 5,000 |
The latest Heavy Metal coin from CIT, following their hugely successful AC/DC range, is one depicting another giant of the music world, Iron Maiden. The band’s first appearance on a CIT coin, The Number of the Beast, adorned an Obsidian Black coin, and Senjutsu got a silver coin, a minigold, and a silver foil. They now seem to have settled on the coloured one-ounce silver format.
Iron Maiden is unusual in that a mascot is present on all of their covers – Eddie – and he appears in a hugely varied range of forms. The latest 2024 coin employs smartminted high-relief for a particularly striking look, and there’s also a new silver banknote to match.
COIN | DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
(A) | $5 Cook Islands | 31.1 grams 0.999 silver | 38.61 mm | Obsidian Black, colour | 1,982 |
(B) | $10 Cook Islands | 62.2 grams 0.999 silver | 38.61 mm | Proof, colour | 999 |
(C) | $5 Cook Islands | 0.5 grams 0.9999 gold | 11.0 mm | Proof | 15,000 |
(D) | $1 Cook Islands | 5.0 grams 0.999 silver | 150.0 x 70.0 mm | Prooflike, colour | 5,000 |
(E) | $5 Cook Islands | 31.1 grams 0.999 silver | 38.61 mm | Obsidian Black, colour | 1,992 |
(F) | $5 Cook Islands | 31.1 grams 0.999 silver | 38.61 mm | Proof, colour | 1,983 |
(G) | $10 Cook Islands | 62.2 grams 0.9999 silver | 38.61 mm | Antique, colour | 999 |
(H) | $1 Cook Islands | 5.0 grams 0.9999 silver | 150.0 x 70.0 mm | Proof-like | 5,000 |
(I) | $20 Cook Islands | 93.3 grams 0.9999 silver | 50.0 mm | Black Proof | 666 |
It was CIT that first pushed popular music into the limelight with its 2018 issued ‘Black Ice’, a traditional two-ounce coloured silver coin. It wasn’t long before this adventurous producer branched out, however, starting with a 7″ silver foil for ‘Highway to Hell’. At 168 mm in diameter, but only a fraction of a millimetre in thickness, in came in a cardboard sleeve, just how we used to buy our records years ago.
The following year saw the first guitar pick coin, one with a terrific design, and also a gold foil banknote, the iconic ‘Angus Buck’ Through it all, they continued the coloured silver coin, albeit in two differing weights. CIT have since moved on to Iron Maiden, with the Royal Australian Mint now seemingly having sole licencing rights to the band. A very eclectic selection while it lasted.
COIN | DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
(A) | $10 Cook Islands | 62.2 grams 0.999 silver | 38.61 mm | Proof, colour | 999 |
(B) | $2 Cook Islands | 15.5 grams 0.999 silver | 38.61 mm | Proof, colour | 5,000 |
(C) | $2 Cook Islands | 15.5 grams 0.999 silver | 168.0 mm | Prooflike, colour | 1,973 |
(D) | $10 Cook Islands | 62.2 grams 0.999 silver | 38.61 mm | Black Proof, colour | 999 |
(E) | $2 Cook Islands | 7.78 grams 0.999 silver | 31.0 mm | Antique | 2,007 |
(F) | $2 Cook Islands | 15.5 grams 0.999 silver | 38.61 mm | Proof, colour | 5,000 |
(G) | $1 Cook Islands | 3.11 grams 0.999 gold | 156 x 67 mm | Prooflike, colour | 25,000 |
Such luminaries as VH1, MTV, Rolling Stone, and the music buying public have consistently rated AC/DC one of the greatest music groups of all time. Selling more than 200 million albums over a 45-year period is a phenomenal achievement for any rock and roll band. Formed in Sydney, Australia in 1973 by Malcolm and Angus Young, their first album was called High Voltage, and while they’ve had some ups and downs in popularity over the following decades, they have a huge following today and continue to record.
Triangle shaped, although heavily rounded to ape a guitar plectrum, the 22.23 gram silver coin is plated in nickel (yes, it has a Nickel back…). The black finish with yellow highlights looks good, and AC/DC fans will recognise parts of the design from the High Voltage album. The packaging is very cool. The box looks like an amplifier and opens up to reveal a bright-red themed interior holding both the coin and an AC/DC guitar pick. The RAM has done a good job with this one.
DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
$5 AUD (Australia) | 22.23 grams 0.999 silver | 33.9 mm | Proof, colour, nickel plating | 10,000 |
After a hugely successful release in 2018 for the 45th anniversary, there was no chance the RAM would miss the half-century celebrations for one of Australia’s biggest musical exports.
This time we get an antiqued 12-sided coin, tipping the scales at a little over half an ounce. Packaging is similar to the 2018 coin, but designed to look like a traditional speaker, rather than a guitar amp. Sold out quickly.
DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
$0.5 AUD (Australia) | 18.24 grams 0.999 silver | 31.51 mm | Antique | 5,000 |
The one of most interest here is the one-ounce silver coin with a 30,000 mintage. Depicting band imagery rather than any specific album, it makes a great centrepiece to a collection, combining elements of many different albums with a dynamic pose by a guitar wielding musician. The record groove background field looks perfect. We can’t imagine many fans being disappointed, even if it lacks the interesting triangular shape of the last issue. Neat theming on the packaging and a $90 AUD price tag.
While we don’t cover much in the way of base metal coins, we’re definitely making an exception for these. Six of the band’s most iconic albums have elements reproduced on these miniature-vinyl styled coins. Coloured black around the centre to simulate the grooved area on the disc, they come in a larger frame which is then packaged in the same cardboard sleeves that we used to get with our single purchases a couple of decades ago. We love them, and at just $15.00 AUD each, they’re eminently affordable.
Best of all, if you purchase the set, you will get all six of the coins, as well as an extra one with the AC/DC logo on it. These all come collected in a box designed to replicate the ones used by DJ’s for storing vinyl records. It’s a brilliant idea that looks fantastic. If you like the band, or even just any music themed collectible, these have got to be appealing.
COIN | DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
(A) | $0.2 Australia | 11.3 grams CuNi | 28.52 mm | Uncirculated | 30,000 sets |
(B) | $1 Australia | 31.1 grams 0.999 silver | 40.00 mm | Frosted uncirculated | 30,000 |
Back for a second rock around the clock, the RAM has issued a new silver coin, and another six of the base-metal album covers. If you liked the first run from 2020, you’ll love these, for sure.
COIN | DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
(A) | $0.2 Australia | 11.3 grams CuNi | 28.52 mm | Uncirculated | 30,000 sets |
(B) | $1 Australia | 31.1 grams 0.999 silver | 40.00 mm | Frosted uncirculated | 30,000 |
Founded in 1975, Motorhead are another absolute behemoth of the music world, and MDM’s first coin, with its antique finish and partial gilding, is a tribute to the band.
The coin should come in a circular tin with the logo below on the lid, and be issued for Barbados, although at the time of writing, this is yet to be confirmed, along with the final design of the obverse.
DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
$5 (Barbados) | 31.1 grams 0.999 silver | 40.0 mm | Black antique | 1,975 |
Stones fans will need no introduction to the ultra-iconic ‘Tongue & Lips’ logo, first appearing on the album ‘Sticky Fingers’ in 1971, so now celebrating its 50th year. It’s hard to believe these guys are still working together and recently became the first band to top album charts in six different centuries decades… The logo, designed by John Pasche, was done on the suggestion of Mick Jagger and was originally meant to ape the Hindu god, Kali, but it
wasn’t long before Jagger himself became inextricably linked with it.
The album cover was voted by VH1 as the greatest of all time, so it’s fair to say it has done its job. The coin replicates the logo perfectly, including the colour on the silver versions. There are two of those – a 10 gram and a 1 ounce, with identical designs. An uncoloured gold version with a 12 gram weight rounds out the options. All are beautifully presented in a themed tin and come with a superb 2 gram, fine-silver Certificate of Authenticity made to look like a concert ticket.
Don’t expect further issues, as the Crown Mint is now defunct, and this series dead.
COIN | DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
(A) | £1 UKP Gibraltar | 10.0 grams 0.999 silver | 32.00 mm | Proof, colour | Unlimited |
(B) | £5 UKP Gibraltar | 31.1 grams 0.999 silver | 50.05 mm | Proof, colour | 7,500 |
(A) | £2 UKP Gibraltar | 12.0 grams 0.999 gold | 32.00 mm | Proof, colour | 1,000 |
From their roots in 1960s Liverpool, to being regarded as the most influential band of all time, the Beatles wide, and often eclectic, musical style has earned them legions of fans around the globe. As well as music, they also dabbled in the movies, and between 1964 and 1970, starred in five major films. The fourth of them, Yellow Submarine, is probably the most iconic of them all, despite being animated, and despite their characters being voiced by actors.
The coin is a perfect celebration of the song, and the film, one that Beatles lovers will instantly take a shine to, we’re certain. Fully coloured, beautifully presented, and relatively affordable (it’s 1 oz), this officially licenced coin has popularity written all over it. It comes with a two-gram silver certificate of authenticity. There’s more to come, including designs featuring the evil, music-hating Blue Meanies from the same film, and the Beatles themselves, The range will also expand to include gold coins (1 oz & 12 gram), and 10 gram silver – the possibilities for this licence are endless. A fine debut for Beatles fans.
Ignore the ‘more to come’ part, as the Crown Mint is now defunct, and this series dead.
COIN | DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIMENSIONS | FINISH | MINTAGE |
(A) | £5 UKP Gibraltar | 31.1 grams 0.999 silver | 60.0 x 35.0 mm | Proof, colour | 4,000 |
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