The Royal Mint is releasing the special coin to mark the 75th anniversary of the author’s death
£2 coin designed to honour George Orwell(Image: The Royal Mint)
Renowned author of classics like 1984 and Animal Farm, George Orwell, is set to be honoured with a new £2 coin design. The Royal Mint is releasing this special coin to mark the 75th anniversary of the author’s death.
The reverse or tails side of the coin pays tribute to one of his most famous novels, 1984. The coin has been designed by Henry Gray who has created what appears to be an eye but is in fact a camera lens at the centre and the quote, ‘Big Brother is Watching You’ is engraved on the camera lens.
On the edge of the coin it reads “there was truth and there was untruth”, which is another quote from the novel. Rebecca Morgan, Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint said: “The works of George Orwell have influenced generations, and his most famous works are still being studied today – decades on from their first publication.
“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.”
The coin will be available to buy online on The Royal Mint website at 9am on January 15. Alternatively, visitors to the Royal Mint Experience in South Wales can press their own keepsake version of the Orwellian coin from January 20 – tickets will be available to buy the coin at reception for an additional £7.50 per coin.