It's Maundy Thursday. Post your Maundy sets.

This is Maundy Thursday, which is the date the King of England distributes Maundy sets to selcted individuals. Here is the text of a post I published in recent years:

Today 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 is 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.

I have only four sets, two of which were included in coronation sets. Here they are.

1786



Part of a 1902 coronation set.



Part of a 1937 coronation set.



A 1979 set.

 

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I never knew of this custom. I am elderly and I work in my church. I think I am due. Ha!!