1990 Italy 2000 Lire – Guglielmo Marconi & the Dawn of Wireless Communication

Pick# 115 | Printed by Officina della Banca d’Italia

Issued at the cusp of Italy’s transition toward the Euro, the 1990 2000 Lire banknote celebrates the pioneering spirit of Guglielmo Marconi, the Italian physicist and inventor credited with developing long-distance radio transmission. This note honors Italy’s legacy of scientific innovation and maritime exploration, blending technical elegance with historical reverence.

Part of the final series of Italian Lira banknotes before the Euro adoption, this issue reflects national pride in Italy’s contributions to global communication. With its detailed engravings and maritime motifs, it offers collectors a tribute to the ingenuity that shaped the modern world.



Design Highlights

Obverse:

Portrait of Guglielmo Marconi at right
Guilloche background with telecommunications-themed artwork
Seal of the Four Maritime Republics (Amalfi, Genoa, Pisa, Venice) at center
Text: Banca d’Italia
Printed in brown, green, blue, and orange tones

Reverse:

Marconi’s yacht Elettra, transmission antennas, and early radio device
Guilloche security background and penal code text
Vertical decree date: 3 Ottobre 1990
Text: Duemila Lire

Watermark:
Portrait of Marconi and monogram “BI”


Specifications
Attribute Details
Country Italy
Year 1990
Denomination 2000 Lire
Issuer Banca d’Italia
Printer Officina della Banca d’Italia
Size 119 × 61 mm
Material Paper
Pick Number P# 115
Watermark Guglielmo Marconi & “BI”
Status Demonetized (2002)



Why Add This Note to Your Collection?

This 1990 Italy 2000 Lire note is ideal for:
Collectors of scientific and technological themes
Enthusiasts of pre-Euro European currency
Admirers of Marconi and the history of wireless communication
Fans of maritime and radio-themed banknote art

Whether you're curating a Euro-transition collection or celebrating Italy’s legacy of innovation, this note offers historical significance, artistic finesse, and cultural depth.