Fourpence 1971 (Maundy), Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

Fourpence 1971 (Maundy), Coin from United Kingdom
CoinFourpence 1971 (Maundy)

The Maundy fourpence (or four pence) coin is the 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.

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 since then with only minor modifications.

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.

This Maundy fourpence coin was distributed in person by Queen Elizabeth II (together with a one penny coin, a twopence and a threepence) at the 1971 Maundy ceremony which was held at the Tewkesbury Abbey.

MintRoyal Mint Mint MarkNo mint mark Total Mintage 1,108
Visit the Royal Mint web site for the latest coin releases Visit the Royal Mint web site for the latest coin releases
(affiliate ad)
Obverse
United Kingdom / Fourpence 1971 (Maundy) - obverse photo

The obverse of the coin shows the laureate young laureate bust of Queen Elizabeth II facing right - her effigy known as the "First Portrait". The laurel wreath in the Queen's hair is tied with a ribbon with two ends flowing behind.

The designer's initials, M.G. (for Mary Gillick) appear incuse on the base of the shoulder truncation, and can be seen when the coin is viewed at an angle.

The monarch's legend runs continuously all around the bust: + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :. Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith.

Obverse Inscription + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Reverse

Within an open oak wreath, the numeral value 4 [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: 1971.

Reverse Inscription 4 1971
EdgeMilledEdge InscriptionNone
Notes

1971 was the first year that decimal currency was issued. The Maundy series continued unchanged as before (coins are identical with the earlier pre-decimal Maundy coins and differ only by the date). However, technically speaking, the older ones belong to a different currency (pre-decimal Pound Sterling) and are listed in the pre-decimal Pound Sterling section.

Fourpence 1971 (Maundy): References to Information Used
SourceEditionAboutLinkNotes
Royal Mint 2016 Mint link
Royal Mint 2016 Mintage link
Royal Mint 2016 History link
All (54) coins of type: Maundy Fourpence (Decimal)
Coin NameMintageEffigyLegend
Fourpence 1971 (Maundy) 1,108 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 1972 (Maundy) 1,118 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 1973 (Maundy) 1,098 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 1974 (Maundy) 1,138 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 1975 (Maundy) 1,148 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 1976 (Maundy) 1,158 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 1977 (Maundy) 1,138 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 1978 (Maundy) 1,178 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 1979 (Maundy) 1,188 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 1980 (Maundy) 1,306 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 1981 (Maundy) 1,288 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 1982 (Maundy) 1,330 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 1983 (Maundy) 1,342 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 1984 (Maundy) 1,354 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 1985 (Maundy) 1,366 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 1986 (Maundy) 1,378 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 1987 (Maundy) 1,390 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 1988 (Maundy) 1,402 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 1989 (Maundy) 1,353 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 1990 (Maundy) 1,523 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 1991 (Maundy) 1,514 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 1992 (Maundy) 1,556 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 1993 (Maundy) 1,440 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 1994 (Maundy) 1,433 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 1995 (Maundy) 1,466 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 1996 (Maundy) 1,629 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 1997 (Maundy) 1,786 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 1998 (Maundy) 1,654 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 1999 (Maundy) 1,676 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 2000 (Maundy) 14,866 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 2001 (Maundy) 1,132 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 2002 (Maundy) 1,681 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 2003 (Maundy) 1,608 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 2004 (Maundy) 1,613 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 2005 (Maundy) 1,685 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 2006 (Maundy) 8,205 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 2007 (Maundy) 1,822 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 2008 (Maundy) 1,833 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 2009 (Maundy) 1,602 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 2010 (Maundy) 1,787 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 2011 (Maundy) 1,906 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 2012 (Maundy) 1,633 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 2013 (Maundy) 1,803 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 2014 (Maundy) 2,049 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 2015 (Maundy) 1,721 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 2016 (Maundy) 1,940 Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 2017 (Maundy) unknown Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 2018 (Maundy) unknown Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 2019 (Maundy) unknown Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 2020 (Maundy) unknown Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 2021 (Maundy) unknown Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 2022 (Maundy) unknown Queen Elizabeth II - First Portrait + ELIZABETH · II · DEI · GRATIA · REGINA · F : D :
Fourpence 2023 (Maundy) 1,184 King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · DEI · GRATIA · REX · F · D ·
Fourpence 2024 (Maundy) unknown King Charles III - First Portrait CHARLES III · DEI · GRATIA · REX · F · D ·
Advertising
Family-run store trading in rare coins and bullion, plus jewellery design and sales
Family-run store trading in rare coins and bullion, plus jewellery design and sales
My Collection
Please sign up and/or log in.
You will then be able to manage your collection and record whether you have or want this coin.
Fourpence 1971 (Maundy): Details
CountryUnited Kingdom
CurrencyPound Sterling
Coin TypeMaundy Fourpence (Decimal)
Issued1971
MonarchQueen Elizabeth II
EffigyQueen Elizabeth II - First Portrait, by Mary Gillick
ReverseImperial Crown - St Edward's Crown and the Tudor Crown
Face Value4 (x Penny)
Total Mintage1,108
CurrentYes
Material0.925 Silver
DesignerJean Baptiste Merlen
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationMedal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size18.0000 mm
Mass1.8900 g
OCC IDDANM-QEPY-CZZM-OJYG
Search Similar Coins to Buy (Affiliate Ad)
Share or Bookmark this Page
Fourpence 1971 (Maundy): Catalogue Reference IDs
SourceReference ID
Spink, Coins of England and the United KingdomMC4 (was 4212)
Krause, Standard Catalog of World CoinsGreat Britain KM# 902