In 2001 to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Marconi, the Royal Mint released a Limited Issue Marconi Piedfort £2 Two Pound Silver Proof Coin struck in solid .925 Sterling Silver.
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 special Limited Issue commemorative solid .925 Sterling Silver Proof £2 Two Pound Coin.
The reverse design was voted by the public as the best of three entries short listed 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, represents 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.
Piedforts are coins which have been specially struck on thicker than normal blanks. As their name suggests they are closely associated with France, where from the twelfth century they were apparently issued by the Kings as presentation pieces. In Britain the practice of striking piedforts is later and less frequent, but medieval and Tudor examples are known.
Limited Mintage of 6,759 Worldwide
Piedfort Double the Thickness and Weight of its Standard Counterpart
Finished to Royal Mint Proof Quality in Solid .925 Sterling Silver
Celebrating 100th Anniversary of Marconi First Wireless Transmission
