Can’t Buy Me Love? John Lennon gets honoured by Royal Mint on what would have been his 85th year

John Lennon is being honoured by a commemorative Royal Mint coin, marking what would have been the musician's 85th birthday.

The Royal Mint, which has an ongoing “music legends” coin series celebrating singers and songwriters, said the coin features a portrait of Lennon that is based on a famous image taken by music industry photographer Bob Gruen in 1974.

Designed by Henry Gray, it depicts a side profile of Lennon, taken on the roof of his penthouse in New York.

Lennon’s name appears to the left of the portrait, while the word “Imagine” features on the right side of the design in a reference to his single and album, released in 1971, the year after Paul McCartney said in a press release that he was no longer working with the Fab Four.  

“Arguably one of the greatest singers and songwriters of all time, Lennon’s achievements as an artist, activist and advocate for peace continue to live on and will now be forever remembered on a coin," said Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint. 

Lennon follows the likes of McCartney, David Bowie, Queen, the Rolling Stones and Shirley Bassey in being honoured on a Royal Mint coin.

Beatles and Lennon fans as well as coin collectors will be able to buy the coins from the Royal Mint’s website on Monday. They will be available in a range of precious metals, including gold, as well as different colours. Prices will start at £18.50 (€22) for a five-pound denominated coin up to £6,420 (€7,650) for a 200-pound denominated coin.

No comment on what Lennon would have thought of these prices, considering his 1964 lyrics “’Cause I don’t care too much for money / But money can’t buy me love”...

Lennon was shot dead by Mark David Chapman in the city on 8 December 1980 at the age of 40.

Additional sources • Royal Mint, AP