David Bowie Commemorative Coin Goes to Outer Space

The song “Space Oddity” propelled David Bowie to superstardom in 1969. Just over 50 years later, Bowie’s likeness has made it into actual outer space. Via The Guardian, we’ve learned that the Royal Mint has launched a brand new David Bowie commemorative coin into space. The legendary artist is now really and truly a Starman.

Bowie’s coin is the latest in the Royal Mint’s “Music Legends” collection. To promote the release, a balloon lifted it into the stratosphere. It climbed to an altitude of 35,656 meters, and then quickly returned to Earth. More precisely, it fell back down to Earth on British soil, where David Bowie was born as David Robert Jones. Bowie fans will be able to enter a chance to win the coin as a competition prize on the Royal Mint’s Facebook page.

The Royal Mint

The coin’s design features the lightning bolt theme, which Bowie famously painted on his face during the Aladdin Sane era. A glitter effect adorns the lightning bolt, giving off the idea of stardust. Yes, as in Ziggy Stardust. Fairly fitting, we’d say.

Bowie’s coin is the third in the Royal Mint’s Music Legends series, following similar coins honoring the band Queen and Sir Elton John. Bowie’s was the first to make it into orbit, but either one of those other coins would have been worthy of a space travel as well. After all, Queen recorded the immortal theme song to Flash Gordon, and Elton is the original Rocket Man.

The Royal Mint said in a statement, “David Bowie’s music has inspired and influenced generations of musicians and we hope this commemorative coin will be cherished by fans around the world.” To purchase your own David Bowie commemorative coin that wasn’t lifted into space, be sure to head on over to the Royal Mint website.