Hi Everyone
You may have heard the term "Maundy" money or coins recently with coverage of the British Royal Family in the news.
Royal Maundy presentations date back hundreds of years in Britain. I inherited a set that belonged to my maternal Grandmother and did a little research to understand what they represented.
Today's recipients of Royal Maundy, as many elderly men and women as there are years in the sovereign's age, are chosen because of the Christian service they have given to the Church and community. Dating back to the 13th century, it became the custom for the Royal Family to participate in the Christian ceremony that symbolizes Christ's simple act of washing the feet of the poor and handing out food and gifts. At the ceremony which takes place annually on Maundy Thursday, the day before Good Friday, the sovereign hands to each recipient two small leather string purses. One, a red purse, contains - in ordinary coinage - money in lieu of food and clothing; the other, a white purse, contains silver Maundy coins consisting of the same number of pence as the years of the sovereign's age.
After 1820, silver coins were struck solely for the purpose of Maundy. During Victorian times, complete sets were available for purchase from the bank by whomever chose to do so, so those sets are far more common to find. In 1908 Edward VII gave instructions that sets should only be available to the recipients and those participating in the ceremony, so sets AFTER 1909 are far more scarce. It should also be noted that the number of recipients and the amount received is equal to the Monarch's age so sets become more plentiful as the reign progresses. For coins presented by Queen Elizabeth II the portrait has remained unchanged since 1953.
The Maundy set consists of 1 pence, 2 pence (half groat), 3 pence, and 4 pence (groat) all struck in .925 silver. In 1920 the silver was reduced to 50% but in 1947 it reverted to .925. In 1971 the sets were revalued to newpence when Britain changed to the decimal system.
The set I inherited comes in a small red box, the lid lined with padded white satin and the coins are nestled in fitted spaces of royal blue/purple velvet. On the lid in gold is "Maundy Coin 1894".
All the coins are dated 1894 and have the "older" Queen Victoria portrait. They are small, especially the tiny silver penny. Off to the side (photo), which was included in the box, is another silver penny dated 1856 with the "young" Queen Victoria portrait. I can only surmise that this Maundy penny may have belonged to my great grandmother and was given to her daughter, my grandmother, so she placed it in the same box.
Note the difference in the Queen Victoria portrait of the last older penny (photo).
There is some tarnish, but they have been kept in this box since first received so are quite fresh considering they are 117 years old!
As to value, since this 1894 set is considered "Victorian" and therefore more plentiful, in uncirculated condition the May issue of "Coin News" UK sets a retail value of 125 British Pounds or about $200 USD. In Extremely Fine condition the value is 85 British Pounds or about $136 USD (I do not know which condition these coins would be rated). Individual coins found, would be roughly one quarter of this value though some denominations can be harder to find. The 1856 penny would be 66 British Pounds or $105 USD using the one quarter calculation, but the UK magazine also offers values on an individual basis and the 1856 penny shows 35 British Pounds or $56 USD, so considerably less than the rough rule of thumb.
No these Maundy coins are NOT for sale (a family heirloom!). Info and photos supplied for your enjoyment/education!
Some coins I do have listed for sale:
A full set of 12 Canadian Quarters .25 cent coins from 1992 issued for each province and territory in Canada in their collector sleeve.
Click HERE to view.
On a recent Treasure Hunt I discovered a British Royal Mint issue set of coins from 1982 in its folder, of the New Pence denominations including the 20p coin newly introduced in that year. This was also the first year the word "NEW" was dropped from appearing on the coins.
Click HERE to view
By no means am I a coin expert, but it is fun to research items!
Bear Hugs
Mandy
Mandicrafts
©mandicrafts
You may have heard the term "Maundy" money or coins recently with coverage of the British Royal Family in the news.
Royal Maundy presentations date back hundreds of years in Britain. I inherited a set that belonged to my maternal Grandmother and did a little research to understand what they represented.
Today's recipients of Royal Maundy, as many elderly men and women as there are years in the sovereign's age, are chosen because of the Christian service they have given to the Church and community. Dating back to the 13th century, it became the custom for the Royal Family to participate in the Christian ceremony that symbolizes Christ's simple act of washing the feet of the poor and handing out food and gifts. At the ceremony which takes place annually on Maundy Thursday, the day before Good Friday, the sovereign hands to each recipient two small leather string purses. One, a red purse, contains - in ordinary coinage - money in lieu of food and clothing; the other, a white purse, contains silver Maundy coins consisting of the same number of pence as the years of the sovereign's age.
After 1820, silver coins were struck solely for the purpose of Maundy. During Victorian times, complete sets were available for purchase from the bank by whomever chose to do so, so those sets are far more common to find. In 1908 Edward VII gave instructions that sets should only be available to the recipients and those participating in the ceremony, so sets AFTER 1909 are far more scarce. It should also be noted that the number of recipients and the amount received is equal to the Monarch's age so sets become more plentiful as the reign progresses. For coins presented by Queen Elizabeth II the portrait has remained unchanged since 1953.
The Maundy set consists of 1 pence, 2 pence (half groat), 3 pence, and 4 pence (groat) all struck in .925 silver. In 1920 the silver was reduced to 50% but in 1947 it reverted to .925. In 1971 the sets were revalued to newpence when Britain changed to the decimal system.
The set I inherited comes in a small red box, the lid lined with padded white satin and the coins are nestled in fitted spaces of royal blue/purple velvet. On the lid in gold is "Maundy Coin 1894".
All the coins are dated 1894 and have the "older" Queen Victoria portrait. They are small, especially the tiny silver penny. Off to the side (photo), which was included in the box, is another silver penny dated 1856 with the "young" Queen Victoria portrait. I can only surmise that this Maundy penny may have belonged to my great grandmother and was given to her daughter, my grandmother, so she placed it in the same box.
Note the difference in the Queen Victoria portrait of the last older penny (photo).
There is some tarnish, but they have been kept in this box since first received so are quite fresh considering they are 117 years old!
As to value, since this 1894 set is considered "Victorian" and therefore more plentiful, in uncirculated condition the May issue of "Coin News" UK sets a retail value of 125 British Pounds or about $200 USD. In Extremely Fine condition the value is 85 British Pounds or about $136 USD (I do not know which condition these coins would be rated). Individual coins found, would be roughly one quarter of this value though some denominations can be harder to find. The 1856 penny would be 66 British Pounds or $105 USD using the one quarter calculation, but the UK magazine also offers values on an individual basis and the 1856 penny shows 35 British Pounds or $56 USD, so considerably less than the rough rule of thumb.
No these Maundy coins are NOT for sale (a family heirloom!). Info and photos supplied for your enjoyment/education!
Some coins I do have listed for sale:
A full set of 12 Canadian Quarters .25 cent coins from 1992 issued for each province and territory in Canada in their collector sleeve.
On a recent Treasure Hunt I discovered a British Royal Mint issue set of coins from 1982 in its folder, of the New Pence denominations including the 20p coin newly introduced in that year. This was also the first year the word "NEW" was dropped from appearing on the coins.
By no means am I a coin expert, but it is fun to research items!
Bear Hugs
Mandy
Mandicrafts
©mandicrafts
I am trying to find information on a Maundy 2 Penny Coin Anna Del Gratia ---Mageri.FR FT Ethibre it has a small hole in it not sure of year any help would be appreciated Thanks Murray
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