An amazing and quite possibly unique opportunity.

Here we have a special leather presentation box containing an 1833 Maundy set comprised of the following coins of each denomination:

The total face value of this set is thus 68d, which is consistent with tradition by which the King of England would present 1d for each year of his life to a number of poor people selected by the Lord High Almoner of England.

William IIII was born August 21, 1765 and would have been 68 years old on Maundy Thursday in 1833.

This set is accompanied by a 3″ x 1.25″ parchment label of apparently very great age on which is written the following:

“Maunday (sic) Money. These coins were presented to Mrs. Bruce of London. April 4th, 1834, by command of his present Majesty.”

The writing is in an old hand, as shown, in the style of calligraphy and appears to us to be of the period.

Mrs. Bruce would have been given this set in the Royal Chapel at Whitehall by command of William IIII.

The coins themselves are lovely, all in approximately prooflike brilliant uncirculated condition, most with varying degrees of irridescent toning as seen in our enlarged photograph of a 4d coin.

The case is an ancient looking maroon leather box with rounded ends which measures approximately 7″ long by 4″ wide by 7/8″ high. It has two working brass hook-clasps and two brass hinges, and is lined in regal looking maroon velvet. It is also accompanied by a detached (and possibly never attached) piece of jeweler’s tissue that is in the shape of the interior of the box and appears to be quite old, but that may or may not be contemporary. In all the case itself could be described numismatically as ‘AU’.

Based on the 68d of value herein, the similar appaearance and condition of all of the coins, the look and fabric of the hand-written note and the fact that the case seems of the period (based on similar US and English proof set cases we have seen over the years, such as those in the Pittman collection), we have no reason to doubt that this is a ‘full distribution’ original Mandy Set as presented to Mrs. Bruce in 1834 which has somewhat miraculously remained intact for the last 172 years.

In all, a fascinating piece of numismatic history and the first like it that we have ever seen or offered.

We thank Dr. Robert D. Klingensmith, Assistant Dean, The Ohio State University at Newark, for his invaluable assistance researching this item.

$8,500

To inquire about this item, call us at 1-800-Coins-99 or email us at John@CoinRaritiesOnline.com or complete the form at the bottom of this page.