Elizabeth II 1994 proof Two-Pounds Mule PF69 UCAM

Elizabeth II (1952-), gold Proof striking of currency Double Sovereign, 1994, Bank of England 300^th anniversary, error "mule" coin using the obverse from the gold Two Pound piece which does not carry a denomination, crowned bust right with earrings and necklace, RDM incuse on truncation, for designer Raphael David Maklouf, Latin legend and toothed border surrounding, ELIZABETH II DEI. GRA. REG. F. D, rev. struck en medaille, designed by Leslie Durbin, corded oval panel at centre of Britannia seated right with shield, holding spear and olive spray, with beehive of industry, hatched exergue, crowned WM monogram above for William and Mary, date 1694 to left, date 1994 to right, italic Bank of England below, edge milled (S.K4A). Proof state, graded and slabbed by NGC as PF69 ULTRA CAMEO.

NGC Certification 6380657-009

Only 1,000 of these gold strikings were issued by the Royal Mint in 1994 to celebrate the Bank of England's 300^th anniversary having been founded in the reign of William and Mary (1688-94). It was only when customers received their freshly minted coins in 1994 that the mistake upon the coin was noticed in that the wrong obverse die had been used in error. Rather than the regular "Two Pounds" obverse with those denominational words under the bust being used, a number of examples had no denomination mentioned at all, the obverse being that used on the St George and dragon reverse Double Sovereigns. The Royal Mint having been made aware of the error pieces wrote to all customers who had ordered the coins asking them to return their error pieces for a free replacement with the correct obverse. It is not known how many of the 1,000 struck carried the error obverse, or how many customers took up the free offer to opt for replacement. Perhaps as many as half the issue were of the wrong obverse, but probably less and some were no doubt replaced with the error piece being melted down.