Royal Mint
1994 Bank of England Gold Proof Double Sovereign £2 Mule Error Coin
1994 Bank of England Gold Proof Double Sovereign £2 Mule Error Coin
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The 1994 Gold Proof £2 was struck to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Bank of England, pairing a reverse design by Leslie Durbin with the official denomination of “Two Pounds.” However, a small number of coins were mistakenly struck with the wrong obverse die – the one intended for gold sovereigns rather than the special £2 obverse.
This rare mistake created what is now known as the 1994 Gold Proof Double Sovereign Mule Error. To collectors, it is one of the most fascinating and desirable modern Royal Mint error coins, combining both historical significance and numismatic rarity.
The reverse depicts the crowned shield of the Bank of England’s coat of arms, while the obverse shows Raphael Maklouf’s portrait of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II – but with the incorrect sovereign obverse legend and formatting, making it instantly recognisable to specialists.
Each coin was struck in 22 carat gold to a flawless proof standard. This example is presented boxed with its original Royal Mint Certificate of Authenticity, a key feature for serious collectors.
Coin Highlights
• Country of Issue: United Kingdom
• Year of Issue: 1994
• Denomination: £2 / Double Sovereign
• Error: Sovereign obverse used instead of £2 obverse (mule)
• Obverse: Raphael Maklouf portrait of Queen Elizabeth II (sovereign die)
• Reverse: Bank of England anniversary design by Leslie Durbin
• Metal: 22 Carat Gold (916.7 fineness)
• Weight: 15.98g
• Diameter: 28.4mm
• Finish: Proof
• Mintage: Limited (with only a tiny proportion struck as mules)
• Presentation: Royal Mint box with Certificate of Authenticity
• Condition: FDC (Fleur-De-Coin) / As-Struck
Why Buy This Coin?
• Rare 1994 Gold Proof Mule Error – one of the most famous modern Royal Mint mistakes
• Known as both a “Double Sovereign” and a “Two Pound” gold coin, boosting search demand
• Historic Bank of England 300th anniversary design in 22 carat gold
• Supplied boxed with original Royal Mint COA
• Highly sought after by both error coin collectors and gold proof specialists
Explore more: View our full boxed proof coin collection.
About the portrait
Queen Elizabeth II – Raphael Maklouf portrait (1985–1997)
Overview
Raphael Maklouf’s third portrait presents a more regal, crowned effigy with pronounced drapery and the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara.
Years of use
• UK coinage including sovereigns. 1985 to 1997.
Designer initials
• RDM on the truncation (Raphael David Maklouf).
Relevance to sovereign collectors
• Used on all sovereign denominations through the late 1980s and 1990s, including popular large-format 5 sovereign proofs.
• 1997 is the final year of the Maklouf effigy before the change to Rank-Broadley in 1998.
Notable notes
• The 1994 £2 Bank of England mule pairs a £2 reverse with a sovereign obverse of the Maklouf portrait, creating a famous modern mule variety.
• Proofs typically exhibit strong cameo contrast; top grades are keenly collected.
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We recommend acting quickly if you see a price that suits your investment strategy, as prices can vary significantly in a short period.
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