The Royal Mint’s Music Legends proof coin range continues its look at icons of British Music with George Michael

“One of the bestselling musicians of all time, George Michael transitioned from a teen heartthrob as part of pop duo WHAM! Into a global superstar as a solo artist. Decades after their initial release, his hits ‘Careless Whisper’, ‘Faith’, ‘Freedom! ’90’ and ‘Last Christmas’ are enduringly popular and regularly voted as some of the United Kingdom’s favourite songs.

On Christmas Day 2016, fans across the world were shocked and saddened by George Michael’s sudden passing at the age of 53. Since then, numerous stories of his compassion, kindness and generosity have emerged. Remembered for his philanthropy as well as his musical talent, he is one of the UK’s most beloved pop stars. Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2023, George Michael’s status as a music icon was set in stone.”

As the Royal Mint’s press release says, George Michael was a hugely popular icon of pop-music, and remains so almost a decade after his untimely death. Few would argue that he hasn’t earned a place alongside, Queen, Elton John, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Dame Shirley Bassey, and The Police, to be a part of The Royal Mint’s ‘Music Legends’ series of gold and silver proof coins.

Michael’s career was stratospheric, enjoying enormous success in Wham! alongside Andrew Ridgeley from 1981 to 1986, and with a solo career, starting in 1984, but fully kicking off in 1987. He went on to become one of the biggest selling artists of all time, racking up around 125 million sales, some 25 million of them his album ‘Faith’. He was widely admired for his music, and his philanthropy, leaving behind a legacy that continues to endure.

We were not huge fans of the last coin in this series, The Police, feeling it lacked a strong enough link to the subject, but Sandra Deiana’s work here is unmistakeably George Michael. The depiction of the star is instantly recognisable, and the background image of the refrain (chorus) from ‘Faith’ is a very clever, and attractive touch. Fans of the singer will find little to criticise here.

A choice of three silver coins, is headlined by a one-ounce with a far bigger mintage, and some coloured highlights, the only variant to get them. Gold is well served, with four formats, ranging from a £5,305.00 two-ounce, to a £99.50 fortieth-ounce. The latter is a Royal Mint thing, and has always disappointed us. With CIT able to make 0.5 grams hit a near-14 mm diameter, you have to wonder why the RM can only get 8 mm from 0.8 grams, which is barely one-third the surface area. That small gripe aside, we have no problem saying this is a fine addition to the series, and should do well. We’ve added it to our comprehensive guide to modern music coins, which we recommend you check out. The coins are available later today.

GALLERY

DENOMINATION COMPOSITION DIAMETER FINISH MINTAGE (max)
£200 UKP 62.42 g of 0.9999 gold 40.0 mm Proof 35
£100 UKP 31.21 g of 0.9999 gold 32.69 mm Proof 160
£25 UKP 7.80 g of 0.9999 gold 22.0 mm Proof 310
£0.5 UKP 0.8 g of 0.9999 gold 8.0 mm Proof 2,034
£10 UKP 156.30 g of 0.999 silver 65.0 mm Proof 185
£5 UKP 62.86 g of 0.999 silver 40.0 mm Proof 350
£2 UKP 31.21 g of 0.999 silver 38.61 mm Proof, colour 3,510