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Auction: 21124 - Spink Numismatic e-Circular 9: British and World Coins & Commemorative Medals
Lot: 5967

George V (1910-1936), Royal Maundy Fee, 24 March 1921, Westminster Abbey, Maundy Set, 1921, Fourpence, Threepence, Twopence and Penny, 'the first to be struck in the new coin alloy' [.500 Fine] (Spink 4027), irregular, patchy tone, otherwise good extremely fine to as struck, with Easter 1921. H.M. ROYAL MAUNDY FEE envelope, pencil marked 'Verger. 10'

Provenance
~ A Verger of Westminster Abbey, 1921 ~


Distributed at the Royal Maundy Service on 24 March 1921 at Westminster Abbey in the presence of HRH Princess Helena Victoria at which 34 'aged and infirm' men and women received the fee, a further 22 of each received the same later that day to acknowledge the 56 years of King George V's age.


Contemporary accounts record the following: 'There is a pitiful story in almost every filled-in form which reaches the Royal Almonry Office in Dean's Yard. Every application is considered with sympathy, but, as the number of recipients must not exceed the years of the age of the King, there will inevitably be disappointed for some of these old men and women who once knew better days. "Maundy gifts were never intended for those who have always been poor." says the assistant secretary at the Royal Almonry Office. "They are meant for those who have fallen on evil times, for the applicants must have been householders and employers of labour."


"Among the applicants this year are a doctor's daughter, who is now a caretaker, a solicitor, a governess, a librarian, the one-time proprietress of a laundry, and a builder. Practically every case is one of real distress, and as the King is now 56 we have chosen 56 men and 56 women from the worst cases to receive the Maundy gifts.


"Americans are very keen on getting as souvenirs the little bags with long red leather strings in which the coins are put." the assistant secretary added. "Often on Maundy Thursday you will see them waiting outside the Abbey to try to persuade the recipients to part with the bags for suitable remuneration."


The service at the Abbey would be unduly prolonged were every chosen applicant to receive the gifts at the usual ceremony, so 35 men and women will appear at the service, while the rest will go to St. James's' Palace at 3.30 on the same day to be paid their lawful moneys. Applications have been received from all parts of the country, and one grateful recipient on the list is an old Dublin man who has been drawing his bounty for some years.


The Daily Mirror (image refers) provides the names of two other known recipients of the 1921 fee, one Mrs White, aged 85 and a Mr Saul.

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Sold for
£130

Starting price
£60