WATCH: George Michael memorabilia for sale
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The Royal Mint Advisory Committee insisted George Michael’s chest hair be made “more prominent” on a commemorative coin honouring the late pop icon, it has been revealed.
Freedom-of-information documents obtained by The Telegraph from the committee’s deliberations show a series of unexpectedly detailed design demands for the 2024 silver piece.
The documents provide a rare glimpse into the meticulous process by which one of Britain’s most historic institutions, now headquartered in Llantrisant, Wales, crafts its collectable coins and jewellery.
On the coin, the singer, who passed away in 2016, is depicted sporting his hallmark sunglasses and crucifix earring against a guitar backdrop.
Beyond the chest hair request, the committee raised concerns that “the jaw-line and mouth and lips did not seem to be correctly aligned” in Mr Michael’s portrait.
They also called for “the surface of the sunglasses smoothed over, and the gap in the sound bars immediately to the left of the cheek be closed up”.
The finished silver coin went on sale at £255 as part of the Royal Mint’s Music Legends series, a collection that has previously celebrated artists including David Bowie, Elton John and Queen.
It features an engraving of the refrain from the singer’s hit Faith with black and red colouring.
The committee’s exacting eye extended well beyond the tribute.
Documents revealed that a coin depicting Britannia, the mythical female warrior, prompted requests for her bust to be enhanced and her clothing reduced.
A separate design featuring John Lennon also required amendments, with the committee directing that “wispy hair” be removed from the top of the former Beatle’s head.
The Royal Mint, established over 1,100 years ago and once housed within the Tower of London, counts Sir Isaac Newton among its former masters.
Today it employs more than 900 staff at its Welsh base in Llantrisant.
Sandra Deiana, who designed the coin, said she aimed to create “a detailed portrait that captured his charismatic expression”, adding: “I was particularly thinking of his iconic sunglasses.”
George Michael Entertainment described itself as “deeply honoured” by the tribute, stating that the singer would have been “enormously proud and genuinely touched that a national institution should have decided to pay tribute to his memory in this way”.
Steve Stunt, from the George Michael Appreciation Society of Bushey, called the recognition “fantastic” and “awesome”.
Mr Michael grew up in Hertfordshire after moving from Edgware as a child, and formed Wham! with schoolmate Andrew Ridgeley at Bushey Meads School.
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