Reply to Thread

Message:: [QUOTE="robp, post: 4620891, member: 96746"]The question of what is and isn't Maundy money during the above reigns is moot. The indenture of 8th Oct. 1670 ordered them for general currency, which is supported by survival rates in circulated condition. There are far more pieces in the market than would be required purely for the ceremony. Additionally there are years such as 1705 when two Maundy ceremonies were performed because the date can be either side of the then year end. 1706 had no ceremony, but a lot of 'Maundy' coins were struck. Clearly these must be regarded as general currency. Brian Robinson in his book "The Royal Maundy" (1977) concluded that at least up to 1714, the coins were for general circulation. What is likely is that circulating money was distributed without requiring coins dated that year to be used. For the remainder of the 18th century, full sets of denominations were struck in only 20-25% of the years involved, but based on the amount of silver coined, it may be that the denominations were minted specifically for this use as the average value per year is about right starting from the middle of the century. According to Robinson, the earliest reference to the 1d to 4d coins as Maundy money was 1731. As usual, the waters are muddy.[/QUOTE]