LONDON — A new commemorative coin has been issued to honor George Orwell, the acclaimed writer of “Nineteen Eighty-four,” marking the 75th anniversary of his passing. This coin, valued at 2 pounds (approximately $2.40), features an intricate design that includes what seems to be an eye, accompanied by the phrase “Big Brother is watching you.” However, upon closer inspection, the eye is actually depicted as a camera lens. Additionally, the edge of the coin bears another quote from Orwell’s iconic dystopian work: “There was truth and there was untruth.”

Henry Gray, the artist behind the coin’s design, emphasized the significance of totalitarian themes in his work. He explained, “With phones and cameras being everywhere in your house, and being listened to by advertisers on your phone, you are really aware of how you’re being surveyed — and that’s what ‘1984’ is all about.” Gray further elaborated on his artistic choice, stating, “That’s why the eye in the design isn’t a realistic eye. It doesn’t have eyelashes and things like that because I wanted it to be monocular. It’s almost like a camera lens staring at you all the time, unblinking.”

“Nineteen Eighty-four” portrays the life of Winston Smith, a civil servant who embarks on a covert rebellion against an oppressive governmental regime led by Big Brother. Orwell, who also penned the renowned allegorical work “Animal Farm,” passed away at the age of 46 on January 21, 1950, shortly after the release of “Nineteen Eighty-four.”

The Royal Mint has announced that this collector’s coin will officially be available on Wednesday, with prices beginning at 17.50 pounds each. This launch joins a tradition of honoring notable literary icons with 2-pound coins, as previous variations have featured figures like William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, and J.R.R. Tolkien.