George Orwell £2 coin: New design unveiled to mark 75th anniversary of author's death

A new £2 coin design will celebrate the 75th anniversary of George Orwell's passing. The coin's reverse side pays tribute to his chilling dystopian masterpiece 1984. At the heart of the design, artist Henry Grey has crafted a clever visual, a camera lens disguised as an eye, perfectly capturing the novel's themes of constant observation and control. The quote “Big Brother is watching you” encircles the camera lens, while the coin's edge inscription bears another quote: “There was truth and there was untruth.”

Other authors who have been honoured with £2 coins include JRR Tolkien, Jane Austen, and William Shakespeare.

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“The works of George Orwell have influenced generations, and his most famous works are still being studied today – decades on from their first publication,” said Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint.

“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.”

Author, journalist, and visionary thinker Eric Blair, better known by his pen name, George Orwell, used his work to expose social injustices and challenge the status quo.

Orwell’s influence resonates far beyond his time, with his ideas woven into everyday language.

Terms like “Orwellian” have become shorthand for oppressive regimes that distort truth and suppress freedoms, while “Big Brother” is now synonymous with surveillance and loss of privacy.

Available from 9 am on January 15 via the Royal Mint website, the coin will come in uncirculated, gold proof, and silver proof editions, starting at £17.50.

Visitors to the Royal Mint Experience in Llantrisant, South Wales, can strike their own George Orwell £2 coin starting January 20. Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond. Sign up to our daily newsletter