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 |
 | 1901 Queen Victoria Maundy Money Set 1d 2d 3d 4d Sterling Silver Complete 4 Coin £ 149.00 |
 | 1996 Maundy Money Set In Original Plastic Seal And Displayed In Float Box. RARE £ 180.62 |
 | 1889 Queen Victoria Maundy Money Set Part Set 2d 3d 4d Sterling Silver Coins £ 129.00 |
 | 1838 Queen Victoria Maundy Money Set Complete 1d 2d 3d 4d Sterling Silver Coins £ 249.99 |
 | George III, Maundy, Penny, 1792, Silver, Wire Money, Scarce £ 47.50 |
 | 1986 Maundy Money Set In Original Case. Coins Still Sealed Never Been Opened. £ 207.66 |
 | Cased Great Britain Elizabeth II Maundy Money Set Penny - Four pence £ 195.00 |
 | 1953 Maundy Money Set, Queen Elizabeth II, Uncleaned, High Collector Grade £ 1,944.70 |