A John Lennon gold coin sold for a record $119,780 including 24% value added tax by the Bonhams auction house in London on 29 June 2011. The coin, released on what would have been Lennon’s seventieth birthday in 2010, is part of the ‘Great Britons’ series of silver £5 coins depicting famous Britons from history. The John Lennon Alderney £5 gold coin is specially created for his widow, Yoko Ono. The reverse side of the coin featured the portrait of music legend John Lennon.
Picture: Yoko Ono holding John Lennon coin.
The Royal Mint struck a one‐off, 22 carat gold version of the £5 silver coin. It is being auctioned by the Alder Hey “IMAGINE” appeal of which Yoko Ono is a Patron, to benefit the work of Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool. Funds raised through the appeal helps the renowned children’s hospital to continue its pioneering work, to develop facilities, and to offer the very highest standards of care to its young patients.
Picture: John Lennon Gold Proof Commemorative Coin
Lennon’s iconic sixties image was designed by sculptor Danuta Solowiej‐Wedderburn with the now familiar Ian Rank‐Broadley profile of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse. The coin is dated “2010” and weighs 38 grams of .999 fine gold with a diameter of 38.6 mm. Struck as a proof piece, this coin is truly worthy of being described as a museum quality acquisition. John Lennon was selected from six great Britons by a public online poll, which saw over 30,000 members of the public vote and the former Beatle receiving 92% of the votes!
Source: Royal Mint UK