Obverse. Photo © Royal Mint
  • 2 Pounds 2021, Sp# WH2A, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, Music Legends, The Who
  • 2 Pounds 2021, Sp# WH2A, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, Music Legends, The Who
Description

The Who are an English rock band formed in London in 1964. Their classic lineup consisted of lead singer Roger Daltrey, guitarist and singer Pete Townshend, bass guitarist and singer John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon. They are considered one of the most influential rock bands of the 20th century and have sold over 100 million records worldwide. Their contributions to rock music include the development of the Marshall stack, large PA systems, the use of the synthesizer, Entwistle and Moon's influential playing styles, Townshend's feedback and power chord guitar technique, and the development of the rock opera. They are cited as an influence by many hard rock, punk rock and mod bands, and their songs still receive regular exposure.

Obverse

The fifth crowned portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the George IV State Diadem and drop earrings, on a background of a secure, micro-dot texture.

The George IV State Diadem, officially the Diamond Diadem, is a type of crown that was made in 1820 for King George IV. The diadem is worn by queens and queens consort in procession to coronations and State Openings of Parliament. The piece of jewelry has been featured in paintings and on stamps and currency. It can be seen in the Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace.

ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FIDEI DEFENSATRIX means Elizabeth II, by the grace of God, Queen and Defender of the Faith.

Engraver: Jody Clark

ELIZABETH II·D·G·REG·F·D·2 POUNDS·
JC

Reverse

Depicts a stylised Rickenbacker guitar with the colored British flag (Union Jack) as a pinball table that is being smashed through a speaker stack with the colored "target" logo of the band on top of it. Engraver's initials below.

Together, the symbols cleverly form a pinball table, a nod to the single Pinball Wizard and the band’s breakthrough album Tommy. The guitar is a Rickenbacker because it was the first guitar Pete Townshend destroyed on stage. The way the guitar smashes through the speaker stack is reminiscent of the way he was captured in photographs stabbing at and smashing up his equipment.

The famous “target” logo of The Who features an arrow coming out of the last letter of their name, similar to the medical symbol for male, therefore superbly symbolizing masculinity. The two ‘h’s in the logo merge to create a feeling of unity. The Who logo boasts of the Union Jack, the British flag, hence comprising of three colors: Royal Blue, Red and White, while using a black background. The Who logo uses a bold, custom font which was designed by the famous British painter and visual artist Brian Pike in 1964 as a part of the original logo.

Engraver: Henry Gray

The
who
HDG
1 OZ FINE SILVER 999 2021

Edge

2 Pounds

5th portrait, One Ounce Silver Bullion Coin
Sp# WH2A
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.999
Weight 31.21 g
Diameter 38.61 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Mint

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