We've commemorated John Lennon's 70th birthday in many ways over the last month. Whether it was by picking something up from his recent reissue campaign, making a YouTube tribute or checking out a screening of Nowhere Boy, many took the time to celebrate the legend. Now, we can cap this Lennon-centric month by lining our pockets with the newly announced British coin that will feature the iconic musician's visage. Because, as it turns out, all we need is money?
A BBC report explains that Lennon was the winner of a UK vote to decide who would grace the flip side of the silver £5 Alderney coin. The ex-Beatle came away with 92 percent of the vote, in which 27,874 people participated. Author Jane Austen came in second with 4.2 percent.
No disrespect to Austen, but the timing of both Lennon's birthday and the looming 30th anniversary of his death likely played into his win.
"It's entirely fitting that John Lennon has been chosen by the public in what would have been his 70th year," said Dave Knight, director of commemorative coins at the Royal Mint, adding, "The massive proportion of the vote he received shows clearly just how much his untimely death still resonates with the nation."
The coin is now available to buy online via Britain's Royal Mint. It is priced at £44.99 (roughly $73 Canadian).
A BBC report explains that Lennon was the winner of a UK vote to decide who would grace the flip side of the silver £5 Alderney coin. The ex-Beatle came away with 92 percent of the vote, in which 27,874 people participated. Author Jane Austen came in second with 4.2 percent.
No disrespect to Austen, but the timing of both Lennon's birthday and the looming 30th anniversary of his death likely played into his win.
"It's entirely fitting that John Lennon has been chosen by the public in what would have been his 70th year," said Dave Knight, director of commemorative coins at the Royal Mint, adding, "The massive proportion of the vote he received shows clearly just how much his untimely death still resonates with the nation."
The coin is now available to buy online via Britain's Royal Mint. It is priced at £44.99 (roughly $73 Canadian).