In 2001 to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Marconi First Wireless Transmission, the Royal Mint released a very special Limited Issue Marconi £2 Two Pound Gold Proof Coin struck in solid 22 Carat Gold.
Guglielmo Marconi is undoubtedly one of the best-known names of the twentieth century. His association with the development of radio has made him deservedly famous and this year, 2001, provides the opportunity to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of his first wireless transmission across the Atlantic. It was an immense achievement that has brought lasting benefit and the Royal Mint is proud to honour Marconi with a commemorative £2 Two Pound Coin.
The reverse design was voted by the public as the best of three entries shortlisted in a limited competition and, appropriately enough, takes wireless waves as its theme. They feature both in the center and in the outer border, while a spark of electricity linking the zeros of the date generates a radiating series of three dots, the Morse Code letter S, to represent the signal successfully transmitted in 1901. On the edge, Marconi's achievement is described by the words WIRELESS BRIDGES THE ATLANTIC MARCONI 1901.
The winning design was created by leading Welsh artist Robert Evans, a senior member of the Royal Mint Engraving Department. The obverse shows the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank Broadley FRBS FSNAD. These legal tender coins have been struck to proof quality using specially prepared dies and highly polished blanks.
Limited Mintage of 1,658 Coins Worldwide
Struck to Royal Mint's Proof Quality in Solid 22 Carat Gold
Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Marconi's First Wireless Transmission
