George Orwell to be honoured on new £2 coin by Royal Mint
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Author of Nineteen Eighty-Four to be commemorated on coin to coincide with 75th anniversary of his death. He was a writer concerned with poverty, class and power; we will never know how George Orwell would feel about being commemorated on a coin. The Royal Mint had announced that the author of Nineteen Eighty-Four, Animal Farm and Coming Up for Air is to be honoured on a new £2 coin to coincide with the 75th anniversary of his death.
![[George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four paperback ]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/52c5da35ab73d230d9ebeb1a3f3603687c937062/0_0_2598_3596/master/2598.jpg?width=120&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
The reverse of the coin pays tribute to one of his most famous novels, Nineteen Eighty-Four, with an image of what appears to be an eye but is in fact a camera lens at the centre; the quote, “Big Brother is Watching You”, encircles the camera lens, while the coin’s edge inscription reads: “THERE WAS TRUTH AND THERE WAS UNTRUTH.”.
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.”.
Much of Orwell’s nonfiction work served as commentaries based on his real-life experiences, including living in poverty, and serving as a Republican volunteer during Francisco Franco’s dictatorship in Spain. The £2 coin is one the most favoured denominations among collectors, according to the Royal Mint.
