2020 UK David Bowie 500 Pound Gold Coin NGC PF70 ULTRA CAMEO FIRST RELEASES | Music Legends Series | GoldSilverJapan
The David Bowie £500 gold coin, issued by the Royal Mint in 2020, is a special commemorative coin created to honor David Bowie, a legendary artist who revolutionized not only British music history but also the history of popular music worldwide. This coin was issued as part of the Royal Mint's popular "Music Legends" series and attracted particular attention within the collection commemorating musicians who have had a profound influence on British culture. The coin presented here has received the highest rating of PF70 ULTRA CAMEO from NGC, one of the world's largest third-party grading organizations, and is also designated as FIRST RELEASES, indicating that it was graded in the early stages of its issuance. The certification number is 6029243-005 and can be verified in NGC's official database, which is highly trusted by collectors worldwide. David Bowie was not just a musician, but an innovator who continuously evolved with each era, influencing a wide range of fields from music and fashion to art and visual expression. This coin, commemorating his achievements, is highly regarded not only by music fans but also by British commemorative coin collectors and investors. GoldSilverJapan carefully selects and introduces rare and authenticated gold coins of such historical and cultural value.
David Bowie was born in London in 1947 and remained at the forefront of the music world until his death in 2016. He gained global attention with "Space Oddity," released in 1969, and continued to produce numerous masterpieces such as "Ziggy Stardust," "Aladdin Sane," "Heroes," and "Let's Dance." His appeal lies not merely in the number of hit songs he produced. He constantly challenged himself with new forms of expression, boldly changing his image and musical style, and greatly influencing artists around the world. His activities spanned a wide range, from the Ziggy Stardust era, known as an icon of glam rock, to the artistic challenges of the Berlin Trilogy, and further to his success as a global pop star in the 1980s. The issuance of this coin aims to pass on to future generations the achievements of this innovative artist. The fact that the Royal Mint honored Bowie at a national level demonstrates the magnitude of his influence on British culture. Even today, his works continue to be loved around the world and continue to attract new generations of fans. This coin is not merely a souvenir, but a cultural heritage that embodies respect for great artists in the history of modern music.
The coin's design is highly artistic, beautifully expressing David Bowie's worldview. The obverse features Jody Clark's fifth official portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Surrounding it is the traditional inscription "ELIZABETH II・D・G・REG・F・D・500 POUNDS・2020," symbolizing the dignity of the British royal family. On the reverse, a striking portrait of David Bowie is depicted. The background is filled with stars reminiscent of outer space, and his iconic lightning bolt motif is boldly incorporated into the design. This lightning bolt is reminiscent of the face paint used on the cover of his 1973 masterpiece "Aladdin Sane," and is recognized worldwide as a visual icon symbolizing Bowie. The word "BOWIE" is powerfully engraved on the right side of the coin, further highlighting its presence. The overall design evokes Bowie's themes of space, the future, art, and innovation, and is highly regarded as a work of art that transcends being merely a commemorative portrait coin. The Royal Mint has employed advanced engraving techniques down to the smallest detail, brilliantly recreating Bowie's personality and creativity on the gold coin.
This coin is made from 99.99% pure gold (Gold .9999) and is an exceptionally large coin, weighing 156.3 grams and measuring 50 millimeters in diameter. With a face value of £500, it is one of the largest commemorative gold coins issued by the Royal Mint. Its weight of 156.3 grams is equivalent to approximately 5 troy ounces, giving it an overwhelming presence. Due to its large size, even the smallest details of the design are clearly rendered, allowing you to fully appreciate the beauty of Bowie's portrait, the texture of the background, and the stars and lightning motifs. Furthermore, this particular coin has received a PF70 ULTRA CAMEO rating from the NGC. PF70 is the highest rating for proof coins, signifying an ideal condition with the original integrity maintained. ULTRA CAMEO is a special rating given when the contrast between the frosted design and the mirror-finished background is exceptionally sharp. In addition, the "FIRST RELEASES" designation is only given to coins submitted to a grading laboratory immediately after issuance, making it a highly sought-after attribute in the collector market. These factors combine to make this coin a premium collector's item possessing artistic merit, rarity, and quality.
From a rarity standpoint, this coin is extremely attractive. The official issuance limit by the Royal Mint is only 60 pieces, making it one of the rarest commemorative gold coins issued in modern Britain. The fact that only a double-digit number exist creates high rarity value in the global market. Furthermore, among those, only those designated as PF70 ULTRA CAMEO and FIRST RELEASES are actually available on the market, making their number even more limited. In recent years, the music-related commemorative coin market has grown rapidly, and demand for official commemorative gold coins featuring world-renowned musicians has been increasing year by year. David Bowie, along with the Beatles and Queen, is a representative figure in British music history, and his cultural value is said to increase with time. In addition, this coin has the aspect of a tangible asset, being made of 5 ounces of pure gold, and the ability to enjoy both artistic merit and precious metal value at the same time is a major attraction. It is an attractive object for music fans, British coin collectors, and rare gold coin investors alike, and is highly regarded as a collection intended for long-term holding. GoldSilverJapan showcases certified rare gold coins that are difficult to obtain even on the global market, delivering the allure of coins that possess both historical and collectible value.
FAQ: What did this coin commemorate? This is an official British commemorative gold coin issued to honor the achievements of David Bowie.
FAQ: What year was it published? 2020.
FAQ: Which country issues it? The United Kingdom. FAQ: Which organization issues it? The Royal Mint.
FAQ: What is the series name? It's the Music Legends series.
FAQ: What is the face value? £500.
FAQ: What is the material? It is 99.99% pure gold (Gold .9999).
FAQ: How much does it weigh? It weighs 156.3 grams.
FAQ: What is the diameter? It's 50 millimeters.
FAQ: Who is depicted on the front? Queen Elizabeth II.
FAQ: Who is depicted on the back? David Bowie.
FAQ: What is the meaning of the lightning bolt design? It is an homage to the iconic visuals of the album "Aladdin Sane".
FAQ: What is the NGC grade? It's PF70 ULTRA CAMEO. FAQ: What is PF70? It's the highest rating certified by the NGC.
FAQ: What is ULTRA CAMEO? It is a rating given to proof coins with an extremely sharp contrast between the design and the mirrored background.
FAQ: What is FIRST RELEASES? It is a special designation given to coins that were graded in the early stages of their issuance.
FAQ: Do you have a certification number? Yes, the NGC certification number is 6029243-005.
FAQ: How many tickets will be issued? The maximum number issued is only 60.
FAQ: Is it a popular investment? Yes, it is highly popular because it combines rarity, pure gold value, and cultural value.
FAQ: Why is David Bowie an important artist? Because he is a global artist who revolutionized music, fashion, and artistic expression, and had a profound impact on modern culture.
FAQ: Are GoldSilverJapan products authentic? Yes, we only handle certified, genuine products.
FAQ: Is it suitable for long-term collection? Yes, due to its extremely high rarity with only 60 pieces issued, it is valued as a premium collector's item suitable for long-term ownership.
