Coin
100 Pounds - Charles III Paul McCartney; Gold (2024) — United Kingdom
United Kingdom • 2024
Overview
A 100 Pounds Proof strike gold coin of the United Kingdom, part of the Music Legends series commemorating Paul McCartney. Minted in 2024. The obverse features an uncrowned portrait of King Charles III, while the reverse depicts a guitar head and piano keys bearing Paul McCartney's signature. Composed of Gold (.9999) with a reeded edge. Struck as Proof.
Specifications
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Year
- 2024
- Composition
- Gold (.9999)
- Weight
- 31.21 g
- Diameter
- 32.69 mm
- Mint
- Royal Mint
- Shape
- Round
- Technique
- Milled
- Issuer
- United Kingdom
Design details
Obverse
Uncrowned portrait of King Charles III left, legend and date around. Script: Latin Lettering: CHARLES III·D·G·REX·F·D·100 POUNDS·2024 MJ Unabridged legend: Charles III Dei Gratia Rex Fidei Defensor Translation: Charles III by the Grace of God King Defender of the Faith Designer: Martin Jennings
Reverse
A depiction of a guitar head and piano keys with Paul McCartney's signature Scripts: Latin, Latin (cursive) Lettering: MCCARTNEY AR DO Designers: Deborah Osborne, Andrew Ross
Collector insights
- Design heritage: Martin Jennings, Deborah Osborne, Andrew Ross is credited as the designer for the Non-circulating coins series. Designer attribution helps distinguish this issue from later restrikes or unofficial copies that reuse only the motif.
- Struck at: Royal Mint. Confirm the mintmark on your example before comparing prices — same-year issues from different mints often trade at very different levels.
- Gold issue: Gold (.9999) — bullion demand competes with numismatic demand. Weight and fineness (not just face value) drive the melt-value floor.
Curator Insights
Historical context
Issued in 2024, this gold proof coin is part of the Royal Mint's Music Legends series, honoring iconic British musicians who have significantly influenced global culture. The release coincides with the continued transition of British coinage following the accession of King Charles III to the throne. This specific denomination serves as a non-circulating legal tender piece, targeted toward collectors of both modern numismatics and popular music history.
Design heritage
The obverse features the uncrowned portrait of King Charles III by Martin Jennings, keeping with the tradition of portraying the monarch's likeness for current UK issues. The reverse, designed by Deborah Osborne and Andrew Ross, depicts a guitar headstock combined with piano keys and the signature of Paul McCartney. The design elements symbolize McCartney's multi-instrumental proficiency and his foundational role in the Beatles and Wings.
Varieties and technical notes
This ten-ounce gold proof coin features a reeded edge and was struck at the Royal Mint using polished planchets to achieve a high-contrast finish. Collectors should inspect the mirrored fields for any post-minting contact marks, as the .9999 fine gold composition is exceptionally soft. While no major die varieties have been cataloged for this specific year of issue, the inclusion of the 'AR DO' and 'MJ' designer initials provides a point of verification for the strike.
Survival and modern availability
As a modern gold proof issue struck in one troy ounce of .9999 fine gold, the survival rate is expected to be very high as these pieces are typically retained in their original Royal Mint presentation packaging. Availability is largely dictated by the official issue limit rather than circulation wear or historical melting. Modern collectors often prioritize examples that have been authenticated by independent grading services to verify the proof quality and surface integrity.
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Explore more
Browse more items in the full catalog or view United Kingdom in the country guide.