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 |
 | 1860 Maundy Money Set Unc Excellent condition with Original case £ 475.00 |
 | Royal Mint Cased 1979 Maundy Money 4 Coin Set - British Silver Coins £ 274.95 |
 | 1896 Victorian Maundy Money English Silver Coin Ring. UK Size P - Antique £ 40.00 |
 | 2006 Queen Elizabeth 11 80th Birthday Silver Coin Collection With Maundy Money £ 249.99 |
 | 1897 Maundy Money set - Victoria Old Head .925 Silver Coins original dated box £ 210.00 |
 | 1692 Maundy Money Set William Mary Rare £ 935.00 |
 | William & Mary Silver Fourpence Maundy Money 1689 £ 75.00 |
 | GREAT BRITAIN. George III, Silver Maundy Penny, 1795, NGC MS65, Gem BU £ 199.16 |