2001 Gold 2 Pound Coin - Marconi

The 2001 two pounds piece commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Marconi. On 12 December 1901 the Italian Physicist Guglielmo Marconi became the first person to send a radio transmission across the Atlantic.

The single Morse letter ‘S’ (just 3 dots) was sent from Cornwall, England to Newfoundland, Canada. Many thought that it would be impossible as the curvature of the Earth would send the radio waves up into space, but Marconi proved them otherwise and changed the future of the World.

Marconi was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1909. To commemorate the centenary of Marconi’s transmission, the Royal Mint produced thia £2 coin marking the event.

Only 1,658 gold proof 'Marconi' two pounds pieces were issued by the Royal Mint in 2001.

Designed by Robert Evans, the reverse depicts decorative radio waves emanating from a spark of electricity, linking the zeros of the date to represent the generation of the signal that crossed the Atlantic, with the date '2001' and denomination 'TWO POUNDS'. The edge inscription reads WIRELESS BRIDGES THE ATLANTIC MARCONI 1901'.

Queen Elizabeth II's fourth portrait can be seen on the obverse, designed by Ian Rank-Broadley.

The two pounds piece is made of solid 22 carat gold (Gold Fineness of 0.916), and weighs 15.98 grams. It has a diameter of 28.40mm.

The outer disc is made of 'red' gold, with the inner disc being 'yellow' gold.

The coin is housed in its original Royal Mint acrylic screw top capsule, presented in its Royal Mint green leatherette case, accompanied with an individually numbered certificate of authenticity (COA).