They were real pieces of history, The first Maundy coins to bear the image of King Charles III were handed out at a special service at York Minster where His Majesty distributed them in a tradition that stretches back centuries.
The King handed out the first Maundy money to bear his image to 74 men and 74 women in April 2023. The number of recipients reflected his age at the time of the ceremony. They were each given a red purse, containing a special £5 coin and 50p piece, and a white purse, filled with specially minted coins to the value of 74 pence, one penny for each year of King Charles III’s age at the time.
The first Maundy money of the new reign was unveiled just hours before it is distributed.
King Charles, accompanied by Queen Camilla, handed out the coins in York in a ceremony led by the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell.
The Maundy service draws inspiration from the events of the Last Supper when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. Kings and queens used to wash the feet of the poor and distribute alms to them. The tradition of feet washing disappeared in the 18th century but the giving of money remains.
Since the reign of Henry IV, in the early 15th century, English monarchs have presented Maundy coins to a number of people that matches their age. In the reign of King Charles II, specially minted money was first created and that tradition continues today.
Rebecca Morgan, Director of Collector Services at The Royal Mint said at the time of the first Maundy service for Charles III’s reign that ”The Royal Mint has struck every single coin, known as Maundy Money, for each ceremony since the reign of Charles II. Following Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s death, Maundy coins will see His Majesty King Charles III’s official coin portrait appear on them for the very first time. This will the first time King Charles III will be issuing his own Maundy Money marking a significant moment in history.”
King Charles will miss the 2024 Maundy service as he continues treatment for cancer. Queen Camilla will present the coins on his behalf in a ceremony at Worcester Cathedral on March 28th 2024.
