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 |
 | Rare 1854 Queen Victoria Silver Maundy Money Coin - Full Set - Good Condition £ 185.00 |
 | 1946 Maundy Money full set, Rare, George VI, Sterling Silver, in Maundy Red Box £ 297.10 |
 | Maundy Money Presentation Box £ 25.00 |
 | 2005 Maundy Money Silver Proof Elizabeth II Coin Set £ 208.70 |
 | King Edward VII 1902 Maundy Money set in case of issue £ 198.16 |
 | QUEEN VICTORIA MAUNDY MONEY 1844 SILVER FOURPENCE £ 45.00 |
 | 1937 Specimen Coin Set - 15 Coins Including Maundy Money - In Original Box £ 363.70 |
 | 1686 4p Four Pence Silver James II 1685-1688 (Maundy Money) (ii) £ 129.99 |