π Difficulty Rating for English Learners:
5 / 10 β Intermediate Level
- Contains some formal language and cultural references
- Suitable for learners with a B1 level on the CEFR scale
- Clear sentence structures with contextual vocabulary
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π Reading Article
Royal Mint Celebrates John Lennon's 85th Birthday with Commemorative Coin
The Royal Mint has unveiled a new commemorative coin to honour John Lennon, marking what would have been the iconic musician's 85th birthday. This release is part of the Mint's ongoing "Music Legends" series, which pays tribute to influential British artists.β
The coin features a portrait of Lennon, inspired by a renowned 1974 photograph taken by Bob Gruen on the rooftop of Lennon's New York penthouse. The design includes Lennon's name to the left and the word "Imagine" to the right, referencing his famous 1971 song and album. β
Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, stated, "Arguably one of the greatest singers and songwriters of all time, Lennon's achievements as an artist, activist, and advocate for peace continue to live on and will now be forever remembered on a coin." β
The collection offers various editions, including:β
- Β£5 Brilliant Uncirculated Coin priced at Β£18.50
- 1oz Silver Proof Colour Coin priced at Β£118
- 1oz Gold Proof Coin priced at Β£3,265
These coins are available for purchase directly from the Royal Mint's website. β
This initiative aligns Lennon with other celebrated artists who have been honoured in the "Music Legends" series, such as Sir Paul McCartney, David Bowie, and Queen.
β
Sources:
The Royal Mint β "John Lennon Commemorative Coin"
The Independent β "Royal Mint releases commemorative coin honouring Beatles legend John Lennon"
π Glossary (Key Vocabulary)
- Commemorative (adj.) β Created to honour or remember a particular event or person.β
- Unveil (v.) β To show or introduce something new or make it known for the first time.β
- Portrait (n.) β A painting, drawing, or photograph of a person, especially of the face.β
- Renowned (adj.) β Famous and respected for a special skill or achievement.β
- Advocate (n.) β A person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy.β
- Edition (n.) β A particular form or version of a published text or product.β
- Brilliant Uncirculated (adj.) β Refers to coins that have never been in general circulation and retain their original mint condition.β
- Proof Coin (n.) β A high-quality coin struck using a special process, often for collectors.
- Align (v.) β To arrange things so that they form a line or are in proper position; to associate or side with.β
- Series (n.) β A number of similar or related events or things, one following another.
Comprehension Questions
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