Mod-Rock Legends, The WHO, to be celebrated on UK £5 Coin – What we know so far…

Among the most popular and influential bands of the 1960s and ’70s, The WHO were key to defining the mod genre and originated the ‘rock opera’ both in Britain and worldwide.

The WHO (pictured 1965). Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Despite having an early influence from the American Rhythm and Blues genre, The WHO’s move towards a new style of British rock allowed them to reject any form of pretension when dealing with teenage frustrations.

The WHO’s undeniable popularity, which spans across generations, has granted them numerous awards and they even reached the Grammy Hall of Fame for their single “My Generation” and the albums Tommy and Who’s Next.

But Change Checker is head-bangingly excited to reveal that as of The Royal Proclamation on 28th April 2021, The WHO can add a brand new UK £5 coin to their impressive collection of accolades.

Whilst the design of the coin remains top secret, we can expect the reverse to show a depiction of a guitar shaped pinball machine accompanied by the inscription “THE WHO”.

Whilst it hasn’t been officially confirmed, we can safely assume this coin will be part of the incredible Music Legends series which brought us the 2020 UK Queen £5, the 2020 Elton John £5, and the 2020 UK David Bowie £5.

We’re so excited for the design of this brand new coin to be revealed – we’re sure it’s going to rock the coin collecting world…

If you want to get ahead of the crowd, and be one of the first to receive these coins when they’re individually released, you can do so by signing up to the Change Checker New Issue £5 Subscription Service >>

Be one of the first to receive the brand new The WHO £5 coin!

This is your opportunity to get ahead of the crowd and secure this brand new £5 coin and every future new UK £5 issue at the initial release price of just £10.99 (+p&p) >>

The Change Checker United Kingdom £5 Priority Subscription allows you to own the latest £5 coin releases, delivered to your doorstep, without any of the hassle of ordering the coin yourself!

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Music Legends £5 series rocks the nation!

Everyone has different tastes in music, but there are some artists you just can’t deny are true Music Legends, and The Royal Mint are celebrating these icons on a series on UK £5 coins!


2024 George Michael £5

The latest Music Legends £5 has just been released, and I Knew You Were Waiting for this one! George Michael is the latest Music Legend to feature on a UK £5, and this Amazing new release also coincides with the 40th anniversary of his first solo song, Careless Whisper.

One of the best-selling musicians of all time, It’s estimated that George Michael sold over 125 million records worldwide during his career – with smash hits such as Faith, Freedom! ‘90 and Fastlove.

The 2024 UK George Michael £5 features an instantly recognisable image of the star in his ‘Faith’ era, complete with his trademark sunglasses.

Your George Michael £5 coin has been struck to superior Brilliant Uncirculated quality and comes presented in official Change Checker packaging to be preserved for generations to come.

Don’t Let The Sun Go Down on your chance to add the George Michael £5 to your collection, click here to secure yours >>


2023 The Police £5

Dubbed ‘the biggest band in the world’ by Rolling Stone magazine in 1983, The Police were one of the definitive rock groups of the 1970s and 80s. To celebrate 40 years since their final album Synchronicity, the band features on the latest Music Legends £5 coin!

The English rock band, fronted by lead vocalist Sting, have never before been featured on a UK coin, and with a massive 75 million record sales under their belt, it’s only fitting that they’ve been celebrated on the latest Music Legends £5 coin.

Inspired by The Classics

The reverse design takes inspiration from both the Synchronicity album cover and the Every Breath You Take: The Classics cover art.

The 2023 UK Police £5 is only the second coin in The Royal Mint’s Music Legends series to feature King Charles III on the obverse, continuing this exciting dual-monarch series of £5 coins.

Don’t miss out on adding The Police £5 to your collection, click here to secure yours >>


2023 Dame Shirley Bassey £5

Without a doubt, Dame Shirley Bassey is one of the most iconic British vocalists of the 20th Century, so it’s only fitting that she features on the latest coin in The Royal Mint’s Music Legends series. The brand new 2023 UK Dame Shirley Bassey £5 coin celebrates 70 years of the Dame’s incredible legacy in show business.

2023 Dame Shirley Bassey £5
2023 Dame Shirley Bassey £5

Spot the hidden details

Designer Sue Aperghis has really captured the essence of Dame Shirley Bassey’s incredible talent and style with a design featuring her silhouette and name in lights, and a Welsh dragon to represent her birthplace. There are also a few hidden details…

Bassey is perhaps best known for featuring on the soundtracks of three James Bond theme songs, Diamonds are Forever, Moonraker and Goldfinger. The names of all three Bond tracks feature within the design, but can you find them all?

The 2023 Dame Shirley Bassey £5 is the first coin in the Music Legends series to feature King Charles III on the obverse. All 4 of the previous Music Legends coins have featured Queen Elizabeth II’s effigy on the obverse, making it one of the first dual portrait UK commemorative £5 series.

Don’t miss out on adding the 2023 UK Dame Shirley Bassey £5 to your collection, secure yours here >>


2022 The Rolling Stones £5

*No longer available at the Mint*

This Music Legends coin celebrates 60 years of iconic rock band, The Rolling Stones!

2022 The Rolling Stones £5
2022 The Rolling Stones £5

The design shows the band in concert, with their name above them and dates ‘62-‘22 at the bottom, representing the anniversary.

In 2021, The Rolling Stones became the highest earning live act of the year, as announced by Rolling Stone magazine – this isn’t surprising when you consider their huge fanbase across the world!

On the obverse, you’ll spot Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II‘s portrait, but did you know that this was one of the last £5 coins to feature The Queen before the introduction of King Charles III’s coin portrait?

Add the 2022 The Rolling Stones £5 to your collection >>


2021 The Who £5

*No longer available at the Mint*

The fourth Music Legends to feature in this £5 coin series was British group, The Who. The Who were amongst the most popular and influential bands of the 1960s and ’70s. Key to defining the mod genre and originating the ‘rock opera’ both in Britain and worldwide, The Who are without a doubt, true Music Legends.

The 2021 The Who £5 was designed by artist, Henry Gray to include a Union flag, mod logo and Rickenbacker guitar within a Tommy inspired pinball table, this superb coin acts as a nod to some of the band’s most famous creations.

Mod-Rock Legends

Among the most popular and influential bands of the 1960s and ’70s, The Who were key to defining the mod genre and originated the ‘rock opera’ both in Britain and worldwide. Despite having an early influence from the American Rhythm and Blues genre, The Who’s move towards a new style of British rock allowed them to reject any form of pretension when dealing with teenage frustrations.

The Who’s undeniable popularity, which spans across generations, has granted them numerous awards and they even reached the Grammy Hall of Fame for their single ‘My Generation’ and the albums ‘Tommy’ and Who’s Next’.

Click here to secure The Who £5 for your collection >>


2020 UK David Bowie £5

*No longer available at the Mint*

The third coin in the Music Legend series celebrates the icon that is David Bowie.

The coin, by Jody Clark, features a design which pays tribute to Bowie’s Aladdin Sane era. It depicts the music legend transitioning between his various personas, set against his iconic ‘BOWIE’ font and the world-famous lightning bolt that Bowie sported as his alter ego, Ziggy Stardust.

Encapsulating everything Bowie stood for; transformation, non-conformism, and vibrancythis £5 coin pays the perfect tribute to one of the UK’s biggest Music Legends of all time.

Bowie’s songs depicted the ups and downs being an outsider: an alien, a misfit, or even a faraway astronaut! His music appealed to all, with a blend of rock, cabaret, jazz and soul. It was this eclectic mix of style and honest charm that defined him as one of the greatest music legends of the 20th century.

During Bowie’s vibrant career, he released 27 studio albums, 128 singles, and 72 music videos. Some of his most famous works include Space Oddity (1969), Life on Mars? (1971), Heroes (1977), and Ashes to Ashes (1980).

Sadly, in 2016 David Bowie passed away just two days after his birthday, leaving behind a legacy of nonconformist music and style.

And, in 2020 his legacy lives on, with the release of the David Bowie £5 >>


2020 UK Elton John £5

*No longer available at the Mint*

The second coin in the Music Legends series celebrated Sir Elton John, who has been delighting his fans for more than half a century.

2020 UK Elton John Brilliant Uncirculated £5

Since his very first self-titled album in 1970, Elton John has sold in excess of 300 million records worldwide. Some of his chart-topping hits include, ‘Can You Feel the Love Tonight?’, ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’, ‘Candle in the Wind’, and ‘I’m Still Standing’.

He also found success on Broadway, composing for Billy Elliot (2008), which went on to win 10 Tony Awards. As recognition of his contribution to music, Sir Elton John was knighted in 1998 and in 2020 he was celebrated on a £5 for the first time.

The reverse design of this £5 coin, by Bradley Morgan Johnson, represents John’s ‘I’m Still Standing’ era. Speaking of the design, Johnson said, “I’m Still Standing was one of [his] favourite childhood pop tracks” and you can definitely see the influence this song had on the design of this coin.

The best thing about this coin, is that Sir Elton John himself approved the design! By owning this coin, you really are in possession of some huge music legend memorabilia.

To secure the 2020 Elton John £5 for your collection, click here >>


2020 Queen £5 Coin

*No longer available at the Mint*

The very first £5 coin in the Music Legends series paid tribute to one of Britain’s most iconic and influential bands Queen.

2020 UK Queen Brilliant Uncirculated £5

Formed in London in 1970, Queen instantly rocked the nation and became a British icon, creating unique and timeless songs which are still loved to this day. As of 2005, Queen’s albums have spent the equivalent of 26 years in the UK Album Charts! (According to the Guinness Book of World Records).

The design of this £5 coin by Chris Facey, showcases the iconic instruments of all four founder members of the band: Brian May’s Red Special guitar, John Deacon’s Fender Precision Bass™, Roger Taylor’s Ludwig™ bass drum, and Freddy Mercury’s Bechstein™ grand piano.

The Queen £5 is full of ‘firsts’, such as…

  • The first-time ever that Queen have featured on a coin worldwide
  • The first-time ever a British band has been celebrated on UK coinage
  • The first coin to be issued in the new series celebrating British Music Legends.

What’s more, band members Brian May and Roger Taylor have officially approved the design of this coin!

To add the 2020 UK Queen £5 to your collection, click here >>


Who is your favourite Music Legend?

We’d love to know which coin in this Music Legends £5 series is your favourite so far, so let us know in the comments below!


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