Description

Rock band Queen have made history as the first British band to appear alongside Queen Elizabeth II on a commemorative coin. The Royal Mint released a commemorative coin collection to celebrate the band as part of its ongoing “Music Legends” series. The coin is available in a variety of different Gold proof, Silver proof, and Brilliant Uncirculated versions, ranging from a £5 Brilliant uncirculated coin to a One Ounce Gold Proof Coin. Additionally, the Brilliant Uncirculated coin will be available in limited numbers in three exclusive packs which include a poster.

Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1970. Their classic line-up was Freddie Mercury (lead vocals, piano), Brian May (guitar, vocals), John Deacon (bass guitar), and Roger Taylor (drums, vocals). Their earliest works were influenced by progressive rock, hard rock and heavy metal, but the band gradually ventured into more conventional and radio-friendly works by incorporating further styles, such as arena rock and pop rock.

The band released their eponymous debut album in 1973. Queen first charted in the UK with their second album, Queen II, in 1974. Sheer Heart Attack later that year and A Night at the Opera in 1975 brought them international success. The latter featured "Bohemian Rhapsody", which stayed at number one in the UK for nine weeks.

The band's 1977 album News of the World contained "We Will Rock You" and "We Are the Champions", which have become anthems at sporting events. By the early 1980s, Queen were one of the biggest stadium rock bands in the world. "Another One Bites the Dust" (1980) became their best-selling single, while their 1981 compilation album Greatest Hits is the best-selling album in the UK. In 1991, Mercury died of bronchopneumonia - a complication of AIDS, and Deacon retired in 1997.