Canadian Press
Published: Wednesday, August 23, 2006
* KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) -
Bob Marley's records long ago went platinum.
Now the Caribbean island nation's most famous son is being revived in gold and silver, as the Bank of Jamaica released a new round of commemorative coins bearing the late reggae superstar's dreadlocked likeness.
The 1,000 gold and silver coins, which were produced by the British Royal Mint, are being sold for $100 US ($111 Cdn) each, bank spokeswoman Jacqueline Morgan said Wednesday.
"We've received quite a bit of interest already," Morgan said from the Jamaican capital of Kingston.
Though the coins were intended to mark the 60th anniversary of Marley's birth in 2005, the bank is just now offering them for sale, said Morgan, who didn't offer a further explanation.
Born in Jamaica's rural St. Ann parish, Marley rose from the gritty shantytowns of Kingston to global stardom in the 1970s with hits like No Woman, No Cry and I Shot the Sheriff. His lyrics promoting "one love" and social revolution made him an icon in developing countries worldwide.
Marley, who died of cancer in Miami at age 36 in 1981, remains one of Jamaica's most beloved national heroes.
It is the second time the Bank of Jamaica has issued coins bearing Marley's likeness in the reggae icon's homeland.
"The coins to commemorate his 50th birthday have totally sold out," Morgan said.
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