Maundy Threepence (Decimal), Coin Type from United Kingdom - detailed information

Maundy Threepence (Decimal), Coin Type from United Kingdom (issued 1971 - )
Coin TypeMaundy Threepence (Decimal)

The Maundy threepence (or three pence) coin is the second highest denomination of Maundy money - coins specially minted in varying (but always small) mintage for ceremonial purposes and not intended as circulating currency. They are usually handed by the British monarch in person to selected deserving individuals once every year. They are issued in "prooflike" condition and usually remain in it, especially the more recent ones. Each recipient receives two purses: a red one with ordinary coins, and a white purse containing a particular amount (which varies every year) made up of one, two, three and four pence Maundy coins. Since the amounts are not always divisible by ten, the number (and mintage) of the respective denominations differ; in other words, they cannot always all be cleanly combined into a number of full sets. Note also that the coins are initially in purses; the sets that appear on the market are made from these later, and are not issued as sets by the Royal Mint.

The Royal Maundy is an ancient ceremony which has its origin in the commandment Christ gave after washing the feet of his disciples on the day before Good Friday. The commandment (also known as a "mandatum" from which the word Maundy is derived) "that ye love one another" (John XIII 34) is still recalled regularly by Christian churches throughout the world. The ceremony of washing the feet of the poor which was accompanied by gifts of food and clothing can be traced back to the fourth century.

Maundy money has remained in much the same form since 1670, and the coins used for the Maundy ceremony have traditionally been struck in sterling silver, save for the brief interruptions of King Henry VIII’s debasement of the coinage and the general change to 50% silver coins in 1920. The sterling silver standard (92.5%) was resumed following the Coinage Act of 1946. The current reverse was designed by Jean Baptiste Merlen in 1822 and has been issued every year since then with only minor modifications.

As there is no record of any denomination higher than one penny (then struck for circulation in silver) being used in the Maundy gift before 1731, sets from before then are most likely ordinary circulation strikes. At that time, coins used for the Maundy money distribution were indistinguishable from those struck for circulation. It was not until 1752 that coins not struck for circulation were used for the Maundy distribution. In a time when little silver was being struck by the Royal Mint, the coins distributed might bear a previous year's date.

To evade statutory prohibitions on the striking of silver coin during the Napoleonic Wars, all Maundy pieces issued from 1800 to 1815 bear the date 1800, though most were struck later. When the date was finally changed in 1816, after the prohibition ended, the size of the coins was slightly reduced, as the Royal Mint implemented a change from striking 62 shillings of silver coin from one troy pound of sterling silver to 66 shillings.The last year in which no Maundy coins were struck was 1821.

In 1689, the Royal Mint began using a design for the reverse of the four low-denomination silver coins depicting a crowned numeral. The designer is unknown (Richard Lobel, in his catalogue of British coins, suggests the artist was George Bower, an employee of the Royal Mint whose medals bear similar characteristics), but his work has endured, in a revised form, for over three hundred years. In 1822 an amended reverse was introduced, and has been struck every year since then in all four denominations.

The 1822 reverse design, which places the crowned numeral within an oak wreath was done by Jean Baptiste Merlen. This design is still struck each year, though the crown was altered in 1888, as was the appearance of the numeral "2" on the twopence. These changes were made by Royal Mint engraver Leonard Charles Wyon. A proposal by the Royal Mint in 1950 to return to the pre-1888 "2" as more artistic was refused by King George VI, who felt the current numeral was stylistically similar to the numerals on the other coins, and the pre-1888 "2" was not.

Beginning in 1834, threepence pieces were struck for circulation bearing the same design as the Maundy threepence. The circulation pieces were initially struck for use in the West Indies, but beginning in 1845, were coined for use in Britain as well. Many of the threepences presented to impoverished Maundy recipients were spent and are rarer than the other denominations today.

Maundy threepences may sometimes be distinguished from currency threepences as dies with a more polished field were used for the Maundy pieces. The design of the circulation threepence remained the same as that of the Maundy threepence until 1928, when a new design was introduced for the circulating coins. Twopence coins identical to Maundy pieces, intended for colonial use, were struck in 1838, 1843, and 1848.

The original composition of the coins was sterling (0.925) silver. In common with all British silver coins, the fineness was reduced to 0.500 in 1921. In 1947 silver was removed from all circulating British coinage in favour of cupronickel, but as it was felt to be inappropriate to strike Maundy coins in base metal, their fineness was restored to 0.925.

On Decimal Day 15 February 1971, the pound sterling became decimalised, with 100 new pence instead of 20 shillings of 12 pence (240 pence) in a pound. No change was made to the design of the Maundy pieces, and all Maundy pieces, both pre- and post-Decimal Day are deemed denominated in new pence; for earlier coins in the series, see pre-decimal threepence (1817 - 1970).

The Maundy pieces continue to use the original obverse design for Queen Elizabeth II by Mary Gillick, although the bust of the Queen on other British coins has been repeatedly replaced as she ages. At the time of decimalisation, the Royal Mint Advisory Commission recommended the retention out of affection for the Gillick design; this was accepted by the Queen.

Obverse
United Kingdom / Maundy Threepence (Decimal) - obverse photo

Effigy of the ruling monarch, legend (in Latin).

Obverse Inscription Legend of the ruling British monarch
Reverse
United Kingdom / Maundy Threepence (Decimal) - reverse photo

Within an open oak wreath, the numeral value 3 [pence].

Above the value, the Royal Crown, depicted as the Tudor Crown. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, it was supposed to stand for St. Edwards Crown, but the depiction remained the same as introduced by Queen Victoria as the Imperial Crown.

Divided by the value, the date of issue: [year].

Reverse Inscription 3 [year]
EdgeMilledEdge InscriptionNone
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Royal Mint
Royal Mint
Coin Type: Maundy Threepence (Decimal) - (54) Coins
Coin NameReverseObverseDetails
Threepence 1971 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 1971 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,018
Threepence 1972 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 1972 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,026
Threepence 1973 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 1973 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,098
Threepence 1974 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 1974 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,138
Threepence 1975 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 1975 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,148
Threepence 1976 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 1976 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,158
Threepence 1977 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 1977 (Maundy) - reverse photo United Kingdom / Threepence 1977 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,138
Threepence 1978 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 1978 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,178
Threepence 1979 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 1979 (Maundy) - reverse photo United Kingdom / Threepence 1979 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,294
Threepence 1980 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 1980 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,198
Threepence 1981 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 1981 (Maundy) - reverse photo United Kingdom / Threepence 1981 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,178
Threepence 1982 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 1982 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,218
Threepence 1983 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 1983 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,342
Threepence 1984 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 1984 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,354
Threepence 1985 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 1985 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,366
Threepence 1986 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 1986 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,378
Threepence 1987 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 1987 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,390
Threepence 1988 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 1988 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,528
Threepence 1989 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 1989 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,353
Threepence 1990 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 1990 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,523
Threepence 1991 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 1991 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,384
Threepence 1992 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 1992 (Maundy) - reverse photo United Kingdom / Threepence 1992 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,424
Threepence 1993 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 1993 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,440
Threepence 1994 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 1994 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,433
Threepence 1995 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 1995 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,466
Threepence 1996 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 1996 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,629
Threepence 1997 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 1997 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,786
Threepence 1998 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 1998 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,654
Threepence 1999 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 1999 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,676
Threepence 2000 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 2000 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 14,866
Threepence 2001 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 2001 (Maundy) - reverse photo United Kingdom / Threepence 2001 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,132
Threepence 2002 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 2002 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,681
Threepence 2003 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 2003 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,608
Threepence 2004 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 2004 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,613
Threepence 2005 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 2005 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,685
Threepence 2006 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 2006 (Maundy) - reverse photo United Kingdom / Threepence 2006 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 8,205
Threepence 2007 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 2007 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,822
Threepence 2008 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 2008 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,833
Threepence 2009 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 2009 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,794
Threepence 2010 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 2010 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,617
Threepence 2011 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 2011 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,734
Threepence 2012 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 2012 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,981
Threepence 2013 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 2013 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,803
Threepence 2014 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 2014 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,693
Threepence 2015 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 2015 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 2,261
Threepence 2016 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 2016 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,940
Threepence 2017 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 2017 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: unknown
Threepence 2018 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 2018 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: unknown
Threepence 2019 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 2019 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: unknown
Threepence 2020 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 2020 (Maundy) - reverse photo United Kingdom / Threepence 2020 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: unknown
Threepence 2021 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 2021 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: unknown
Threepence 2022 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 2022 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: unknown
Threepence 2023 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 2023 (Maundy) - reverse photo United Kingdom / Threepence 2023 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: 1,036
Threepence 2024 (Maundy) United Kingdom / Threepence 2024 (Maundy) - obverse photo Material: 0.925 Silver
Mint: Royal Mint
Mintage: unknown
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Maundy Threepence (Decimal): Details
CountryUnited Kingdom
CurrencyPound Sterling
From1971
Face Value3 (x Penny)
CurrentYes
Material0.925 Silver
DesignerJean Baptiste Merlen
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
Size16.2600 mm
Mass1.4100 g
Maundy Threepence (Decimal): Photos
ImageDetails
Maundy Threepence (Decimal): Photo Great Britain, Elizabeth II, 1981, Maundy Threepence Great Britain, Elizabeth II, 1981, Maundy Threepence
Copyright: NumisCorner.com
Source
Maundy Threepence (Decimal): Photo Great Britain, Elizabeth II, 1981, Maundy Threepence Great Britain, Elizabeth II, 1981, Maundy Threepence
Copyright: NumisCorner.com
Source