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Marconi Wireless Transmission £2 Coin

Cupro-nickel Circulating 2001 £2  Share This Coin:
Marconi Wireless Transmission £2 Coin - Reverse - 2001 UK £2 Coin
Price Guide
£2.00
Rarity Score 60

Coin Specifications

Denomination
£2
Year
2001
Metal
Cupro-nickel
Finish
Circulating
Mintage
4,558,000
Weight
12.00 g
Diameter
28.40 mm
Edge
WIRELESS BRIDGES THE ATLANTIC… MARCONI 1901
Obverse
Ian Rank-Broadley
Reverse
Robert Evans

How much is the Marconi Wireless Transmission £2 Coin worth?

As a circulating coin, the Marconi Wireless Transmission £2 Coin is worth its face value of £2. However, collectors may pay more for high-grade examples or if the coin is scarce. Check our rarity score to see how sought-after this coin is.

Coin Description

Struck in 2001 to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Marconi's 1st Wireless Transmission across the Atlantic. The reverse, designed by Robert Evans, depicts radio waves adorn both the centre and outer border, while a spark of electricity connecting the zeros in the date symbolizes the creation of the signal. The obverse features the fourth portrait of Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley. 2001 Elizabeth II 'The 100th Anniversary of Marconi's 1st Wireless Transmission across the Atlantic' £2 Coin.

About This Coin

📡 2001 Marconi Wireless Transmission £2 Coin – Circulating
Bi-metallic £2 coin marking the 100th anniversary of Guglielmo Marconi’s first wireless transmission across the Atlantic in 1901. The design uses radio waves and Morse code to celebrate the breakthrough that helped lay the foundations of modern wireless communication.

Coin Summary & Key Facts

The 2001 Marconi Wireless Transmission £2 was struck for general circulation and is still a fairly common find in change. With a circulation mintage of around 4,558,000, it is classed as a common commemorative £2 coin, usually worth around face value in circulated condition, with a modest premium for higher-grade or Brilliant Uncirculated examples.

📊 Key Figures – Circulating Coin

Core specifications and reference values for the 2001 “100th Anniversary of Marconi’s 1st Wireless Transmission” £2 coin.

Aspect Figure Notes
Denomination £2 (Two Pounds) UK bi-metallic commemorative £2 coin issued for general circulation in 2001.
Metal, weight & diameter Outer ring: Nickel-brass
Inner disc: Cupro-nickel
Weight: 12.00 g
Diameter: 28.40 mm 		Standard UK £2 specification with a milled edge.
Year & event 2001 – 100th Anniversary of Marconi’s 1st Wireless Transmission Marks the 1901 transmission of the Morse code letter “S” from Poldhu, Cornwall to Signal Hill, Newfoundland – the first successful transatlantic wireless signal.
Circulation mintage 4,558,000 Official circulation mintage; widely available and considered a common £2 design.
BU mintage (for reference) 151,367 BU coins Approximate total Brilliant Uncirculated coins across Royal Mint packs and other official BU products (44,090 in RM packs, 107,277 in other packaging).
Designers Reverse: Robert Evans
Obverse: Ian Rank-Broadley 		Reverse uses radio waves and the date “2001”; obverse carries the fourth portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
Edge inscription WIRELESS BRIDGES THE ATLANTIC MARCONI 1901 Inscribed in incuse lettering around the edge, describing Marconi’s achievement.
Design details Radio waves, spark between “00” in “2001”, Morse “S” Five concentric circles and wave patterns symbolise wireless signals; a spark joining the two zeros of “2001” sends out three beams, representing the Morse code letter “S”.
Typical value (circulated) ≈ £2 Most circulated examples are valued around face value, with higher prices only for exceptional grades or special presentations, based on recent dealer listings and market guides.
Typical value (BU, for comparison) ≈ £8–£12 Standard BU packs and loose BU coins usually trade for a modest premium over their original issue price, according to recent price guides and sales data.
💡 Collector Notes

The Marconi £2 sits in that sweet spot of “historically important but easy to find”. It’s a great example of how technical ideas – radio waves, Morse code, and the concept of a signal jumping across an ocean – can be turned into effective coin art.

  • Commemorative theme: Celebrates Guglielmo Marconi’s 1901 transmission of the Morse code letter “S” across the Atlantic, proving that radio signals could cross vast distances and helping to kick-start global wireless communication.
  • Reverse design: Robert Evans’ design shows:
    • the date 2001 on the left, with a spark connecting the two zeros,
    • waves radiating outward to suggest radio signals,
    • three beams representing the Morse “S” transmitted in 1901,
    • the inscription TWO POUNDS integrated into the wave motif.
    It’s deliberately abstract but rooted in the physics and history of radio.
  • Rarity & circulation: With more than 4.5 million struck, this is a common commemorative £2. Many examples remain in circulation, and it’s one of the more frequently encountered early-2000s designs in change.
  • Other versions (for context): The same design was issued as:
    • a silver proof £2 (sterling silver, 12 g, limited mintage),
    • a silver proof piedfort (double-thickness, ~24 g),
    • a gold proof £2 (22-carat, 14.63 g),
    all with the same artwork but higher finishes and much smaller mintages.
  • What to look for in circulation: If you’re picking a Marconi £2 for your collection, aim for:
    • clear, unflattened wave detail and strong definition around the spark between the zeros,
    • legible edge inscription (WIRELESS BRIDGES THE ATLANTIC MARCONI 1901) all the way round,
    • minimal heavy scratches in the open inner-disc areas where marks tend to show most.
  • Collecting angle: This coin works well in themes like “science & technology”, “communication”, or “modern £2 history”. It’s inexpensive enough in circulation grade that newer collectors can enjoy the design without worrying about rarity or high cost.

Overall, the 2001 Marconi Wireless Transmission £2 is a nicely balanced piece of modern UK coinage – historically rich, visually distinctive, and still easy to pluck from your wallet if you keep an eye on your change.