John Lennon's 70th birthday celebrated on Alderney coin

John Lennon was chosen for the coin by public vote

While there may not be any direct link between Alderney and John Lennon the Royal Mint has issued its new John Lennon coin as Alderney tender.

The coin forms part of a collection celebrating "Great Britons" and the Beatle was picked by public vote.

Alderney States Member, Richard Wilmott, said: "For many years the Royal Mint has produced and designed coins for us."

Though a £5 coin the limited edition object will cost £44.99 to buy.

John Lennon was chosen for this coin above Jane Austen, Sir Walter Raleigh and Emmeline Pankhurst amongst others and he received 92% of the vote following a campaign via social networking websites.

Lennon (right) rose to fame in The Beatles before pursuing a solo career

Richard explained that Alderney do have a say in the designs the Royal Mint releases under their name: "We approve all the designs... it's a very close partnership with the Mint and its worked very well in the past."

He added that the States of Alderney can suggest ideas for new local tender coins, "but they [The Royal Mint] have to take into account the worldwide market and it has to fit into the other things they are doing, but it doesn't need to get too parochial".

Having the coin minted as Alderney tender also means the island receives royalties from the sale of the limited run of 5,000 coins being produced, which Richard said "was a very good earner for us".

On whether Alderney and John Lennon shared anything in common Richard said: "I think it's wholly appropriate, he was an icon of the 60s and to some extent Alderney has an interesting character and he is the sort of person Alderney would adopt - I'm really happy he's there."