2 euro coin BU 2024 150th birth of Guglielmo Marconi

We celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Guglielmo Marconi with two coins that aim to capture significant moments in the life of this renowned scientist, an iconic figure in the history of telecommunications and Nobel Prize winner in Physics in 1909: the 2-euro bimetallic coin in both brilliant uncirculated and proof version, and the 25-euro colored silver coin in proof version. For tthe 2 Euro coin Artist Loredana Pancotto takes inspiration from a historic photograph taken on 12 February 1931, the day of the inauguration of Vatican Radio. In the image, Guglielmo Marconi stands beside Pope Pius XI and Secretary of State Eugenio Pacelli, the future Pope Pius XII. Below are Marconi’s historic words from the first Vatican Radio broadcast: “I have the supreme honour of announcing that in a few moments, the Holy Father Pius XI will inaugurate the Vatican City's radio station. Electric waves will carry his word of peace and blessing throughout the world…”