David Bowie coin commemorating ‘Space Oddity’ launched into atmosphere by Royal Mint

The interplanetary coin is being given away as a prize through the Royal Mint

The new David Bowie coin orbiting the Earth’s atmosphere (The Royal Mint)

A new David Bowie coin created to commemorate the pioneering singer has been launched into space.

The one ounce silver proof coin, which is being offered as a prize through the Royal Mint’s Facebook page, reached 35,656m and orbited the Earth’s atmosphere for 45 minutes before safely descending.

The coin forms part of a new series launched by the Royal Mint as part of its music legends collection.

Bowie’s “intergalactic legacy and career” includes the hits “Starman”, “Life on Mars?” and “Space Oddity”.

Fans can also purchase the coins from the Royal Mint website.

Prices begin at £13 for a brilliant uncirculated £5 coin, to a stratospheric £72,195 for a UK kilo gold coin in a denomination of £1,000, a maximum of 11 of which will be minted.

A five ounce Bowie gold coin is also available for £11,815, with a maximum mintage of 60 coins.

The coin celebrates the star with a design inspired by his time spent living and recording in Berlin, and features the iconic lightning bolt motif from Aladdin Sane.

Innovative technology and manufacturing techniques mean that the lightning bolt on several of the special edition coins appears laced with stardust, to create a glitter effect.

The coins are the third in the ‘music legends’ series and follows coins in honour of Queen and Sir Elton John.

Clare Maclennan, divisional director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, said: “We are thrilled to unveil the third coin in the Royal Mint's music legends series, honouring the intergalactic legacy and career of David Bowie.

”In recognition of Bowie's first hit single Space Oddity, we felt it was fitting to send his coin into space and celebrate the Starman in his own pioneering fashion.

“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,” she said.

The winner of the interplanetary coin will be picked at random, with further details available through the Royal Mint’s social media channels.