George Michael Collectible Coin Unveiled By British Royal Mint

The British Royal Mint unveiled a new collectible coin on Monday (Feb. 26) honoring late pop icon George Michael. The tribute includes an image that recreates the look from Michael’s 1987 debut solo album, Faith, a headshot in which the star born Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou rocks his signature aviator shades, crucifix pendant earring and perfect five o’clock shadow.

The coin is the latest in the Mint’s Music Legends series that has earlier paid homage to such U.K. megastars as David Bowie, the Rolling Stones, Dame Shirley Bassey, Queen and Elton John. Artist/sculptor Sandra Deiana designed the coin in honor of the WHAM! and solo star, which also features an engraving of the hook from Michael’s “Faith” single.

Michael’s estate officially approved the honor, with a statement from George Michael Entertainment reading, “On behalf of George Michael, we are deeply honoured that the Royal Mint is paying tribute to him by creating a series of beautifully crafted coins. He would have been enormously proud and genuinely touched that a national institution should have decided to pay tribute to his memory in this way.”

Artist Deiana added, “From the beginning of the project, I was clear about certain elements that I wanted to incorporate into the design. I wanted a detailed portrait that captured his charismatic expression – I was particularly thinking of his iconic sunglasses. It’s amazing to be able to pay tribute to his music and what you see in the design is truly a piece of George Michael’s song.”

The release of the coin follows December’s celebration of WHAM!’s “Last Christmas” finally reaching No. 1 on the UK charts 39 years after its initial release. The collectible is available as limited-edition precious metal poofs, including a brilliant uncirculated coin as well as silver and cold proof versions; click here for more information on the coins.