The Who honoured with Royal Mint coin collection

Amy Johnson

Watch: Royal Mint releases coin collection celebrating The Who

The Who have been honoured with a new collectible coin range from the Royal Mint.

The range is based on a design that features some of the rock band's most recognisable symbols, including a Mod logo, Union flag and speaker-smashing guitar, in the shape of a pinball machine.

Band co-founder and lead singer Roger Daltrey visited the Mint to strike one of the very first coins.

Daltrey said: "It's an honour to have a coin produced to celebrate The Who’s musical legacy. The coin’s design captures the true essence of the band and what we represent.

Read more: Roger Daltrey says fame isolated him from his old friends

"It was a fantastic moment being able to strike one of the very first pieces in the collection and see the range of technologies and processes involved in the making of the coin."

Roger Daltrey visited the Mint to mark the new collection. (Royal Mint)
Roger Daltrey visited the Mint to mark the new collection. (Royal Mint)

Meanwhile, guitarist Pete Townsend said: "I am delighted that the band's work is being recognised by this fantastic range of coins from The Royal Mint."

It's the latest addition to the Royal Mint's music legend series, following collections honouring Queen, Sir Elton John and David Bowie.

Clare Maclennan, divisional director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, said: "The Who are an iconic British band with an incredible musical legacy, so it felt right to honour them with an official UK coin.

One of the coins from The Who collection. (Royal Mint)
The new Who coin design. (Royal Mint)

"The Who coin is the latest in our show-stopping music legends series, which celebrates legendary British artists through original new designs. It was a privilege to have Roger Daltrey visit the Mint to strike one of the first coins and meet the team of makers that have created this wonderful design.

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"Our music legends series is engaging new generations of coin collectors, and we hope this design will become a cherished part of fans' memorabilia."

The Who's Roger Daltrey and Pete Townsend both commented on the collection. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)
The Who's Roger Daltrey and Pete Townsend both commented on the collection. (Rick Diamond/Getty Images) (Rick Diamond via Getty Images)

Elements of the coin have been digitally printed in the band's red, white and blue colours thanks to colour printing technology.

Also, some will feature a "shockwave" effect radiating from the speaker in recognition of The Who's record-breaking loud concert in London in 1976.

The collection includes a colour brilliant uncirculated coin in a £5 denomination that costs £22.50 and a gold kilo proof coin in a £1,000 denomination priced at £68,380.

With additional reporting by PA.

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