CARDIFF, Wales, July 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Royal Mint has unveiled a striking commemorative coin celebrating 50 years of Iron Maiden. The legendary East London metal band now joins the pantheon of musical royalty in The Royal Mint’s Music Legends series, which has previously honored icons like Queen, Elton John, and David Bowie.
Crafted with painstaking attention to detail by contemporary artist Albert ‘Akirant’ Quirantes, the coin showcases Iron Maiden’s infamous mascot, Eddie, in a dynamic pose that will resonate with fans worldwide. The design is peppered with hidden ‘Easter eggs’ referencing the band’s storied career, iconic albums, and globe-spanning tours, giving collectors plenty to uncover.
Formed in 1975, Iron Maiden worked closely with The Royal Mint throughout the design process, ensuring the coin captures the essence of a band whose influence has reverberated across five decades. With a fanbase that spans the globe, Iron Maiden stands as one of British music’s greatest success stories. Given the international appeal of coin collecting, this new commemorative piece – the first official collectible to bear the 50th Anniversary logo – is poised to thrill both numismatists and metalheads alike.
Rod Smallwood, Maiden’s Manager; “Having Eddie grace an official UK coin is the latest chapter in his incredible odyssey since we unleashed him back in 1980. We’ve conquered stamps, beer bottles, airplane tails, and now we’re legal tender! The level of detail Akirant has packed into the design is mind-blowing – there are subtle nods to virtually every era of our journey as a band. We’re truly honored that The Royal Mint has chosen to immortalize 50 years of Iron Maiden in such a unique way.”
Rebecca Morgan, Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint, commented: “Iron Maiden have been fearless trailblazers in music, flying the British flag around the world for half a century. Their innovative vision, electrifying performances, and devoted following have cemented their status as one of Britain’s most influential bands. This coin represents the perfect fusion of metal on metal, and we anticipate it will become a highly coveted collector’s item for both coin enthusiasts and die-hard rock fans alike.”
Albert ‘Akirant’ Quirantes, the mastermind behind the Iron Maiden coin, enthused, “Designing this coin has been one of the most exhilarating projects of my career. As a lifelong Maiden fan who grew up idolizing Derek Riggs’ original artwork from the ’80s, I wanted to capture not just their iconic imagery, but also the rebellious spirit that has defined their music for decades. I’ve woven several Easter eggs into the design that true fans will relish uncovering, including subtle nods to classic album covers and their most beloved tracks. It’s my tribute to a band that has shaped generations of metalheads worldwide, and I hope fans will dissect every detail with the same fervor they’ve applied to decoding the band’s lyrics over the years.”
The Iron Maiden coin is available in various editions, ranging from standard brilliant uncirculated to limited edition precious metal proof versions, with prices starting at £18.50. For more information about this commemorative coin and to explore the full range, visit www.royalmint.com/ironmaiden.
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