Maundy Money is given out by the Monarch as a gift at Royal Maundy. The ceremony is held on Maundy Thursday which is the day before Good Friday, also known as ‘Holy Thursday’.
The 2019 Maundy Money Ceremony was held on 18th April 2019. Her Majesty The Queen attended the Royal Maundy Service in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle and was accompanied by Princess Eugenie.
The Maundy set consists of four coins, denominated one penny, two pence, three pence and four pence. The number of sets given out to each man and woman is equivalent to the age of the Monarch in years. You can read more about the history of Maundy Money in our article What is Maundy Money?
Besides the sets given out by the Monarch, a limited number of sets are minted and made available for collectors. These are issued in a case rather than a purse.
2019 Maundy Set Obverse
The obverse shows the head of the monarch as you would expect. However, if you look at the Queen Elizabeth obverse you can see that the portrait is the original portrait used from when she first issued coins; although the Queen has had about five portraits the original (by Mary Gillick) is still used.
2019 Maundy Set Reverse
The reverse, which is a crowned numeral within an oak wreath, was created by Jean Baptiste Merlen back in 1822 and has only been altered slightly since then.
Image credits: Photographs supplied by M J Hughes Coins. The set shown is on sale on their website at mjhughescoins.com
Maundy Coin Specifications
| Coin | Weight | Diameter |
|---|---|---|
| 1p | 0.47 g | 11.152 mm |
| 2p | 0.94 g | 13.443 mm |
| 3p | 1.41 g | 16.264 mm |
| 4p | 1.88 g | 17.63 mm |
 | KING WILLIAM III MAUNDY MONEY 1701 SILVER FOURPENCE £ 85.00 |
 | 1899 Queen Victoria Maundy Money Coin Set Veil Head 4D 3D 2D 1D + BOX £ 249.95 |
 | 1873 Maundy money in presentation case UNC very fine Queen Victoria with a bun £ 234.72 |
 | 1898 Victoria Maundy Money Coin Set in Dated Box C258 £ 195.00 |
 | George III. Two Pence. 1818. Bull Head. Early Milled English Coin. Maundy Money. £ 47.52 |
 | Maundy Money Coin Set 1874 - Original Box £ 260.72 |
 | 1760 One Pence 1p Silver GEORGE II 1727-60 (Maundy Money) £ 49.99 |
 | 2011 Maundy Money Coin Set £ 350.00 |