Cook Islands: New Gold And Silver Collector Coins Featuring Classic Iron Maiden And The Best Of Eddie

An English heavy metal band formed in Leyton, East London in 1975, the band was formed by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Although fluid in the early years of the band, the line-up for most of its history has consisted of Harris, first lead vocalist Paul Di'Anno, Bruce Dickinson, drummer Nicko McBrain, and guitarists Dave Murray, Adrian Smith and Janick Gers. Considered early pioneers of the new wave of British heavy metal movement, Iron Maiden released a series of UK and US Platinum and Gold albums, including their 1980's debut album titled after the band itself, 1981's Killers, and 1982's The Number of the Beast, which was the band’s first album with Bruce Dickinson who in 1981 replaced Paul Di'Anno as lead singer. The addition of Dickinson was a turning point in their career which established them as one of heavy metal's most important bands.

The latest gold and silver collector coins are released on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the release of Powerslave, the fifth studio album on the 3rd September 1984 through EMI Records. Iron Maiden's Powerslave is not only one of the fans' favourite album in terms of the songs featured, but also because it features one of the most complicated album artwork covers. Designed by Derek Riggs, Powerslave is full of jokes and hidden references planted throughout the artwork. In addition, the album’s imagery was credited with Iron Maiden’s most successful live tours, lasting from August 1984 until July 1985. Powerslave debuted at No. 2 in the UK Albums Chart eventually achieving number 1 position in the UK and number 12 in the US.

Prominently featured since just after the band’s formation is Iron Maiden’s mascot known as Eddie the Head. Created by Dave Beazley, the band's lighting and pyro man, Eddie has appeared in all of Iron Maiden's album covers and most of their singles and has been a conspicuous feature of the band's artwork, merchandise and concerts. Eddie has appeared in many forms, including a cyborg, an Egyptian mummy, a samurai warrior, and a lobotomized mental patient. It was Derek Riggs, a contemporary British artist who was recruited by the band's manager to bring Beasley’s creation of Eddie to life on the band's debut album cover. Today, the band’s current members Harris and Murray, guitarist Adrian Smith, vocalist Bruce Dickinson, drummer Nicko McBrain and guitarist Janick Gers who joined the band in 1990 have embarked on the Future Past Tour which began in September of this year. Still playing to packed venues, the band will travel to thirty seven cities on four continents, concluding on the 7th December.

The gold and silver coins are produced by the B.H. Mayer's Kunstprägeanstalt, Karsfeld, Bavaria by commission of Coin Invest Trust - CIT, Liechtenstein and on behalf of the Treasury of the Cook Islands.

20 Dollars – silver. The reverse side of the coin features several personas of the Rock Group’s unique mascot Eddie, who for many die-hard fans of Iron Maiden is a cult figure. He is part of Iron Maiden’s stage performance, has his own video game and is the namesake of the group’s Boeing airplane used to transport the crew, stage decorations and technical equipment. Most importantly, Eddie is featured on every Iron Maiden album cover–always in a new and fitting incarnation. Divided into five columns, there are eight personifications seen on several album and singles sleeve covers. Dividing the design in two vertically and centred is the text IRON MAIDEN shown in the group’s official logo. Minted with an Ultra High Relief technique and tinted with black colour, the level of detail and the aesthetics of the design are truly outstanding.

5 Dollars – Gold. Derek Riggs’ brilliantly illustrated album cover portrays Eddie, the band’s mascot, stylised as a pharaoh from ancient Egypt. The complex Powerslave album cover combined an Egyptian-like temple façade with a pyramid, which was reduced to the dominating mask of Pharaoh Eddie. On each side of the mask is a selection of hieroglyphics and above the mask is the logo for the Powerslave album. Below, in a horizontal direction is the IRON MAIDEN logo.

Available from the 15^thSeptember, each large-size silver proof coin is presented in a custom window-effect box for ease of viewing or display and is accompanied with a numbered certificate of authenticity. The gold proof coin is encapsulated and accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. For additional information including a list of distributors, please visit the e-webshop of CIT, official distributors.