Traditionally, Royal Maundy is when the British monarch distributes small silver coins, known as “Maundy Money”, to elderly recipients during a ceremony. The word “Maundy” originates from the Latin word “mandatum”, which means the command that Jesus gave to his disciples to “love one another”.
The importance of Royal Maundy
The Royal Maundy service takes place on Maundy Thursday, which in the Christian calender, is the day before Good Friday. It is a symbolic ceremony which dates back as far 600 AD and its origins lie in the story of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples after the Last Supper. These days, the monarch provides purses of specially minted coins to those who have been chosen for their remarkable Christian service and for making a difference to their community and the people around them.
One of the most important roles to Queen Elizabeth II during her reign was the Maundy service. This is because it was the only occasion whereby the Late Queen visited others to present awards, rather than the recipients visiting her. Throughout her seventy-year reign, Queen Elizabeth II wanted to visits as many cathedrals or abbeys as possible, therefore, she suggested that the service should not be held in London more than once every ten years.
The coins
The obverse design of the coin is the reigning monarch with the reverse showing a crowned numeral enclosed by a wreath. The coins are struck in one penny, two pence, three pence and four pence denominations.
The coins are presented in two leather purses; a white purse containing coins to the value of the same number of pence as the current sovereigns age, and a red purse containing a £5 and a 50p. A small amount of ordinary coinage is also given symbolising food and clothing that used to be given as gifts.
King Charles III
The first Royal Maundy service of King Charles III’s reign will take place on Thursday 6th April 2023 at York Minster; one of the oldest minsters in Europe. Both King Charles III and Queen Camilla will be in attendance, and there will be a total of 74 men and 74 women receiving coins from the King, a number which always matches the monarch’s age.
This will be the first service during the King’s reign. However, it is not the first time that he has participated in the event. Last year, while still heir apparent, the King oversaw the ceremony at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor, on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II. The Maundy service has taken place twice at York Minster during Her Late Majesty’s reign; one in 1972 and the other in 2012, the year of her Diamond Jubilee.
We have some remarkable coins released to celebrate our new King. Shop them HERE.