Begun in 2020, the Music Legends series has featured iconic British performers and bands such as Queen, Elton John, the Who, The Rolling Stones, Shirley Bassey and earlier this year, George Michael. The latest and ninth performer to feature is Paul McCartney (born 1942), one of the most successful British musicians and songwriters of all time whose career spans more than seven decades. As a member of both The Beatles which were first formed in 1957 and Wings which debuted in November 1971 at the Empire Ballroom in Leicester Square, Paul McCartney became a rock ‘n’ roll superstar. McCartney and Wings lent their talents by writing and performing the theme song for the blockbuster James Bond film Live and Let Die in 1973 which became a top ten hit for the band. His continued work as a solo artist has seen him recognised as one of the greatest artists in history with the sale internationally of over 100 million solo albums. 

A prolific song writer, he has written or co-written over 200 songs, including many of the hits by The Beatles and a record 32 songs that have topped the Billboard Hot 100. To date, McCartney had sales of 25.5 million Recording Industry Association of America – RIAA certified units in the US. His accolades include two inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, first as a member of the Beatles in 1988 and as a solo artist in 1999, an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, 18 Grammy Awards, an appointment as a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1965, and an appointment as Knight Bachelor in 1997 for services to music. Paul has just completed the South American leg of his acclaimed Got Back tour – which saw him play to over 500,000 people in eight countries. The tour has just started its European leg with home shows in Manchester and is scheduled to end in London on the 19^th December. As of 2024, McCartney is estimated to be one of the wealthiest musicians in the world, with a probable fortune of $1.4 billion.

Designed by Deborah Osborne and Andrew Ross of Osborne Ross Graphics, the reverse side design features a reference to Paul McCartney’s iconic Magic Piano as well as several references to his record-breaking career that includes piano notes personally chosen by Paul shown on the piano keys, the neck of a Höfner Violin Bass guitar, and the Wings logo. Superimposed over the design is an autograph of Paul McCartney’s first name. Both the silver proof one-ounce coin and base metal £5 coin are offered with additional applied vivid colour highlighting the distinctive Wing’s logo. The obverse of each coin option features the definitive effigy of HM King Charles III designed by Martin Jennings. The denomination from 5 POUNDS to 200 POUNDS and year of issue 2024 also appears on the obverse as part of the legend surrounding the King’s likeness. 

The BU Cupro-nickel coins are presented in a blister-pak type folder with illustrations and informative text about Paul McCartney’s long and successful career. The silver proof strikes are encapsulated and presented in black branded custom cases and accompanied with a numbered certificate of authenticity. The gold pieces are encapsulated and presented in gloss-polished hardwood custom cases accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. The gold 50 pence proof coin is encased in a tamper-proof sealed card format with illustrations and specifications of the coin. For additional information for these new coins, please visit the e-webshop of the Royal Mint.

In early 2025 The Royal Mint will offer fans the chance to own a unique piece of history, auctioning a signed, gold edition of Paul McCartney’s coin. The bespoke gold coin weighs five kilos and took over 250 hours to make, including three days of hand polishing. It was signed by McCartney during his 2024 ‘Got Back’ tour in Paris and will be auctioned alongside four silver five kilo editions.