Stephen Hawking Getting His Own “Black Hole” Coin in the UK

Legendary astrophysicist Professor Stephen Hawking will be immortalized on a new coin in United Kingdom. The new currency features a somewhat trippy rendering of a black hole, plus equations for the laws of gravity and quantum mechanics.

What does it mean to have your father’s incredible life and achievements immortalised on an official UK coin? Find out from Lucy and Tim Hawking, children of the brilliant Professor Stephen Hawking. https://t.co/QrkEJPCAnR pic.twitter.com/YPVprHwnWJ

— The Royal Mint (@RoyalMintUK) March 15, 2019

Hawking explained his theories about black holes in his best selling book A Brief History of Time. At one point, according to the BBC, the scientist said his “greatest achievement” was the discovery that black holes weren’t entirely black.

Edwina Ellisa, the designer of the 50 pence (about 72 cents) coin was thrilled to work on the project: “I wanted to fit a big black hole on the tiny coin and wish he was still here chortling at the thought.”

Hawking’s children Lucy and Tim were on site at the Royal Mint for the unveiling of the coin’s design.

“It is a great privilege to be featured on a coin and I hope my father would be pleased to be alongside Sir Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin as scientists who have made it on to money,” his daughter said in a statement.

Fans can purchase versions of the commemorative coin ranging in price from £10 to £795. There’s also been talk of putting Hawking on the £50 banknote.

Hawking died a year ago after a long battle with a rare motor neurone disease that left him bound to a wheelchair and unable to speak without digital assistance.