A reciprocating linear motor (10) is formed with a pair of ring-shaped permanent magnets (50, 52) having opposite radial polarizations, held axially apart by a non-magnetic yoke (20), which serves as an axially displaceable armature assembly (14). A pair of annularly wound coils (30, 32) having axial lengths which differ from the axial lengths of the permanent magnets are serially coupled together in mutual opposition and positioned with an outer cylindrical core (24) in axial symmetry about the armature assembly. One embodiment includes a second pair of annularly wound coils (36, 38) serially coupled together in mutual opposition and an inner cylindrical core (26) positioned in axial symmetry inside the armature radially opposite to the first pair of coils. Application of a potential difference across a serial connection of the two pairs of coils creates a current flow perpendicular to the magnetic field created by the armature magnets, thereby causing limited linear displacement of the magnets relative to the coils.