Tomorrow is Maundy Thursday, the Thursday before Good Friday and Easter Sunday. In England, the monarch gives money, in the form of silver coins to elderly people who are selected based upon their poverty and their service to their churches or community. Recipients may also be selected by clergyman of the various Christian denominations. Once selected a recipient remains one for life. New recipients are selected each year. The gifts are given in two purses. The white one holds Maundy money in the one, two, three and four pence denominations. There one pence for each year of the monarch's life. A red purse contains £5 and a 50 p coin. The modern Maundy coins do not circulate because their silver value exceeds their face value. Each coin has the portrait of the monarch on the obverse. and the value 1, 2, 3 or 4 partially surrounded by a wreath, the date and a crown on the reverse. These coins are highly prized by many collectors. Here is a Queen Elizabeth II Maundy set. I have two sets of Maundy coins which are included in coronation sets. The first a 1902 Edward VII "short set." This set goes up the half sovereign and sovereign gold coins. The full set includes the two and five pound gold pieces. These coins are Matte Proofs. My other set was issued for George VI in 1937. I know that others of you have some Maundy sets. Perhaps you would like to share them.
Here are mine, although I just sold the George III set. I had a goal at one point of collecting one per ruler but I need to focus more.
