Royalty
King Charles III awards Maundy Money for the first time as reigning monarch
Maundy Thursday is an Easter tradition that dates back to 1622 during the reign of Charles II. The tradition involves the monarch gifting members of the public special coins as part of a special ceremony.
His Majesty attends his first Maundy Service as King
Today, King Charles III attended his first Maundy service as reigning monarch at York Minster. Hundreds of people lined the streets approaching the Minster, many arriving before 7am to get a front row spot.
Credit: The Royal Family on Twitter
The King and Queen Consort, Camilla arrived at the cathedral around 11am and preceded to award specially minted coins to 148 people in recognition of their work for their church and community. The service concluded with the national anthem and a blessing.
What coins were awarded?
The coins awarded included a white purse containing silver Maundy coins equivalent in value to the age of the King. Also awarded was a red purse containing two commemorative coins.
Credit: The Royal Family on Twitter
This year, the commemorative coins gifted were a £5 coin issued to celebrate His Majesty’s upcoming 75th birthday and a 50p coin marking the 75th anniversary of the Windrush Generation. Both of these coins featured in the 2023 Annual Coin Set, which caused record breaking sell outs at the Royal Mint.
Within just 16 minutes of release, the Silver Proof and Silver Piedfort specifications of the 2023 Annual Set were no longer available to order at The Royal Mint. Other premium limited specifications sold out in less than an hour.
The 2023 Annual Coin Sets are still available in Brilliant Uncirculated quality, secure yours here >>
Queen’s Reign coin honours traditional Maundy money
The 2022 Queen’s Reign £5 coin honouring Charity and Patronage featured a design of traditional Maundy money. This represented Queen Elizabeth II’s advocacy and support of more than 600 charities across the UK and Commonwealth during her incredible 70 year reign.
Secure yours in Brilliant Uncirculated quality >>
The Official UK King Charles III Coronation Coins Confirmed
Last week, it was announced that King Charles III will celebrate his Coronation with a brand-new range of UK coins.
And today, you have the chance to make sure you don’t miss out…
What we know so far about the UK Coronation Coins
The Royal Proclamation detailed a range of limited-edition coin specifications including a 50p and a £5 coin, a Sovereign, and an ounces range; the perfect way to honour this historic occasion.
The launch date is yet to be confirmed, but considering that the first UK coronation in 70 years is now less than two months away, collectors are eagerly awaiting further news.
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We’re expecting huge demand for these coins. Especially when you hear about the designs…
The designs
The Royal Proclamation has declared that the reverse of the new UK 50p will feature the Royal Cypher of King Charles III against the exterior of Westminster Abbey.
Credit: The Royal Family royal.uk
Additionally, the reverse design of the £5 coin is set to feature St Edward’s Crown accompanied by text stating “THE CORONATION OF KING CHARLES III 6th MAY 2023”.
Credit: The Royal Family royal.uk
The proclamation also confirmed that the Sovereign range will feature the classic St. George & the Dragon design. It’ll be the first King Charles III sovereign with this reverse, making it excellent to pair with the UK 2022 Memorial Sovereign.
Unprecedented demand expected
Demand for these coronation coins is sure to outweigh supply.
We saw 24-hour sell-outs for the Queen’s UK Platinum Jubilee coin range, so it’s inevitable that demand for these coins will follow suit…
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King Charles III names Prince Edward the new Duke of Edinburgh
On his 59th birthday, Prince Edward has been gifted the title of Duke of Edinburgh by his brother, King Charles III.
His Royal Highness becomes the Duke of Edinburgh almost two years after the passing of Prince Philip – his father.
It is believed that Prince Philip had wished for his eldest son to take on the title and this decision was made today by King Charles.
The former Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, was given the title on the morning of his wedding to the then Princess Elizabeth.
Prince Edward will attend the coronation in May as a duke, alongside his wife Sophie, who now becomes the Duchess of Edinburgh.
The five UK coins that feature the Duke of Edinburgh
During his lifetime, Prince Philip – the previous Duke of Edinburgh – was commemorated on several UK coins.
In 1997, the Queen and Prince Philip celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary, and His Highness featured on a UK coin for the very first time as part of a conjoined effigy on the obverse of the commemorative £5 coin.
2007 saw a similar conjoined portrait.
The 2017 Platinum Wedding Anniversary coin featured the Queen and Prince Philip on horseback in a nod to the original 1953 Coronation Crown as well as a third conjoined portrait.
In 2011 Prince Philip was finally granted the greatest privilege – his own £5 Coin to celebrate his 90th Birthday.
This was followed in 2017, with a design of the young Prince Philip by Humphrey Paget to mark Prince Philip stepping down from public duties after 70 years of service.
Now that Edward takes on this title, collectors will eagerly be anticipating a royal issue featuring the new Duke of Edinburgh’s portrait. Only time will tell!