Keep an eye on the Royal Mint’s 1984-inspired George Orwell coin, because it will be keeping an eye on you
“A hugely talented writer and visionary thinker, George Orwell is best known for his critically acclaimed novels Animal Farm (1945) and 1984 (1949). One of the most influential literary figures of the twentieth century, Orwell possessed a distinct writing style and astute way of thinking. Many of his non-fiction works were commentaries based on real-life experiences, including a tour of the industrial north, living in poverty for several years, and serving as a Republican volunteer against Francisco Franco’s Nationalist faction. It was the latter experience that fostered Orwell’s staunch anti-totalitarianism mindset, a pervasive theme throughout his works.” (Royal Mint)
Of all of Orwell’s works, it is 1984 that leaves the strongest impression. Coincidentally, I rewatched the John Hurt film released in 1984, just last week, and it reminded me of just what a bleak world Orwell created, and how many elements of it are starting to permeate the modern world. The idea of a Big Brother watching over everybody and everything, is truly disturbing. George Orwell, whose real name was Eric Arthur Blair, died 75 years ago in 1950 from tuberculosis, just a year after 1984 was published.
The Royal Mint’s design is a good one, undertaken by Henry Gray, with the support of the Orwell Foundation. The all-seeing eye (a camera lens) of the state peers out, with the not so subtle ‘Big Brother is Watching You’, emblazoned on it. The inscription ‘THERE WAS TRUTH AND THERE WAS UNTRUTH’ is engraved on the edge. It’s a neat piece of symbolic design.
As a £2 coin, it has that bimetallic look, with the half-ounce gold coin split into two sections comprised of yellow and red gold, and the silver pair (standard and piedfort) having a gilded outer section. We’ve never been fans, finding the boundary distracting, but it’s UK currency spec, so it is what it is. There’s also a base metal version for the casual collector. Available now. If you click the banner lower down, we get a small commission at no cost to you, so thank you if you do.
DENOMINATION | COMPOSITION | DIAMETER | FINISH | MAX MINTAGE |
£2 UKP | 12.0 g of 0.925 silver | 28.4 mm | Proof | 4,510 |
£2 UKP | 24.0 g of 0.925 silver | 28.4 mm | Proof | 1,994 |
£2 UKP | 15.98 g of 0.9167 gold | 28.4 mm | Proof | 111 |
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