The Royal Mint has unveiled plans to design a new fifty pence coin to celebrate composer Benjamin Britten's centenary.
The coin, which comes into circulation next year, is part of a huge anniversary celebration of his life and work - including performances in 140 cities across the world.
All of his 14 major operas will be performed, including a performance of Peter Grimes on the beach at Aldeburgh - the town on the Suffolk coast where he lived most of his life.
A bust of Benjamin Britten is dusted by Lara Perkins at the Royal College of Music in central London
Richard Jarman, Director of the Britten-Pears Foundation, said the plans underlined the composer's "truly global appeal".
The celebrations begin in September but will be focused on next year - the 100th anniversary of his birth.
Mr Jarman said: "We are also thrilled and honoured that he is being given tangible public recognition in this centenary year.
"It is truly exciting that the Royal Mint has today announced that Britten will feature on a fifty pence coin.
"This will literally put Britten in the hands and pockets of every person in this country".
Plans were also announced for the Friday Afternoons project which aims to encourage up to 75,000 children to sing, culminating in a performance on Friday 22 November next year - which would have been Britten's birthday.
There will also be dedicated weekends of music on BBC Radio3 and archive programmes shown on BBC4.