# CNS16050 - Elvis Presley Gold "Seperate Ways" US Half Dollar Commemorative Coin
Elvis Presley is rightly called the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. He is credited with 54 certified gold singles – more than any other recording artist ever! This coin highlights one of those songs that sold at least 500,000 copies.
Mystic has permanently bonded a vibrant image of Elvis to this uncirculated US Half Dollar. The coin features an original photograph of Presley from his estate’s official archives and is officially licensed by Elvis Presley Enterprises.
Separate Ways
Elvis recorded “Separate Ways” on March 27, 1972. The song was written by Red West and Richard Mainegra. West was part of Elvis’ “Memphis Mafia” – Presley’s bodyguards and closest friends. West also wrote lyrics to some of Elvis’ songs. Mainegra was just 22 years old and had a dream of entering the music business. He met up with West and had him listen to a tune he had recently created. To Mainegra’s surprise, West liked it and began writing lyrics to his melody.
The song was a subject close to Presley’s heart, and the songwriters weren’t sure the star would want to sing it. It was about his break-up with his wife Priscilla and the effect it was having on their daughter, Lisa Marie. Surprisingly, Elvis recorded it.
The songwriters found out “Separate Ways” was going to be included on an album. A few months later, they were told the song was also going to be released as a single with “Always on My Mind” on the flip side. The single reached #16 on Billboard magazine’s Hot Country Singles Chart in November 1972. It later received gold medal status when over half a million copies were sold. Years later, Mainegra reflected on his experience as a young songwriter. He said, “I’ve had cuts by some pretty major artists since then, but nothing has ever matched the feeling I had when I first heard ‘The King’ sing a song of which I was lucky to be a part!”
“Separate Ways” became the title track for an album Elvis Presley released in 1973. It reached #12 on the Country Album chart and eventually sold over three million copies worldwide. The album was certified gold in 1992 and platinum in 2004.
Elvis Presley is rightly called the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. He is credited with 54 certified gold singles – more than any other recording artist ever! This coin highlights one of those songs that sold at least 500,000 copies.
Mystic has permanently bonded a vibrant image of Elvis to this uncirculated US Half Dollar. The coin features an original photograph of Presley from his estate’s official archives and is officially licensed by Elvis Presley Enterprises.
Separate Ways
Elvis recorded “Separate Ways” on March 27, 1972. The song was written by Red West and Richard Mainegra. West was part of Elvis’ “Memphis Mafia” – Presley’s bodyguards and closest friends. West also wrote lyrics to some of Elvis’ songs. Mainegra was just 22 years old and had a dream of entering the music business. He met up with West and had him listen to a tune he had recently created. To Mainegra’s surprise, West liked it and began writing lyrics to his melody.
The song was a subject close to Presley’s heart, and the songwriters weren’t sure the star would want to sing it. It was about his break-up with his wife Priscilla and the effect it was having on their daughter, Lisa Marie. Surprisingly, Elvis recorded it.
The songwriters found out “Separate Ways” was going to be included on an album. A few months later, they were told the song was also going to be released as a single with “Always on My Mind” on the flip side. The single reached #16 on Billboard magazine’s Hot Country Singles Chart in November 1972. It later received gold medal status when over half a million copies were sold. Years later, Mainegra reflected on his experience as a young songwriter. He said, “I’ve had cuts by some pretty major artists since then, but nothing has ever matched the feeling I had when I first heard ‘The King’ sing a song of which I was lucky to be a part!”
“Separate Ways” became the title track for an album Elvis Presley released in 1973. It reached #12 on the Country Album chart and eventually sold over three million copies worldwide. The album was certified gold in 1992 and platinum in 2004.