2000 ITL #649

Front

Two young students reading together, symbolic of education and learning; engraved by A. De Angelis Inc. The front features text 'DECRETO MINISTERIALE 3 OTTOBRE 1990' (Ministerial Decree 3 October 1990) and the anti-counterfeiting warning 'LA LEGGE PUNISCE I FABBRICATORI E GLI SPACCIATORI DI BIGLIETTI FALSI' (The law punishes manufacturers and distributors of false banknotes).

Back

Guglielmo Marconi (1874–1937), Italian inventor and electrical engineer who pioneered work on long-distance radio transmission and is credited with developing the first practical radio telegraphy system. Winner of the 1909 Nobel Prize in Physics, Marconi's innovations revolutionized wireless communication and earned him a place among Italy's most celebrated scientific figures. The back displays the Banca d'Italia coat of arms with the text 'PAGABILE A VISTA AL PORTATORE' (Payable on sight to the bearer), along with signatures of the Governor and Cashier, and the printer attribution 'G. MARCONI' identifying the portrait subject.

History

The 2000 lire note was part of the final series issued by Banca d'Italia before the introduction of the Euro in 2002. This 1990 series, authorized by Ministerial Decree of 3 October 1990, featured Guglielmo Marconi, honoring Italy's scientific heritage. The note remained in circulation until 28 February 2002, when it was replaced by the Euro during the currency transition. Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, whose signature appears as Governor, served from 1979 to 1993 and later became Prime Minister (1993–1994) and President of Italy (1999–2006). This series is common and widely available to collectors as it circulated extensively in the final decade of the Italian lira.