George Orwell £2 Coin Released to Mark 75 Years Since Author's Passing

Renowned author George Orwell, best known for his classic works like 1984 and Animal Farm, will now be featured on a new £2 coin design, thanks to the Royal Mint.

This special coin is being released to commemorate 75 years since the author's passing. The reverse or tails side of the coin pays homage to 1984, Orwell's dystopian masterpiece that follows Winston Smith, a character living under oppressive totalitarian rule and pervasive surveillance.

The coin's design, crafted by artist Henry Gray, features what appears to be an eye but is actually a camera lens at its centre. The phrase "Big Brother is watching you" surrounds the camera lens, while the coin’s edge inscription bears another quote: “There was truth and there was untruth.”

The Royal Mint has previously featured other literary giants on £2 coins, including William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, and JRR Tolkien. Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, expressed her delight in sharing this unique design with collectors and Orwell enthusiasts.

"The works of George Orwell have influenced generations, and his most famous works are still being studied today – decades on from their first publication," she said.

"I am delighted to share this unique design with collectors and fans of Orwell’s work, paying tribute to one of the most world-renowned authors of the 20th century."

Eric Blair, who wrote under the pseudonym Orwell, used his writing to spotlight social injustices. His enduring influence can still be seen in the language we use today.

In today's surveillance-heavy society, the term "Orwellian" has become shorthand for oppressive rule, where truth is contorted and personal freedoms compromised, echoing George Orwell's dystopian narratives. Similarly, "Big Brother" is used to highlight a lack of privacy or heavy-handed control.

The George Orwell commemorative £2 coin will be available to buy in brilliant uncirculated, gold proof and silver proof versions from the Royal Mint’s website at 9am on January 15, with prices starting at £17.50.

Additionally, from January 20, visitors to the Royal Mint Experience in South Wales can press their own keepsake version of the Orwellian coin.