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Maundy Money refers to the specially
minted silver coins that are distributed by the British sovereign on Maundy
Thursday. Maundy coins are specially coined for the occasion and are legal tender
and, as they are produced in such limited numbers, they are much sought after
by collectors.
In Britain today, the Queen follows a
very traditional role of giving Maundy Money to a group of pensioners. The tradition
of the Sovereign giving money to the poor dates from the 13th century, from
the reign of Edward I.
At one time recipients were required
to be of the same sex as the Sovereign, but since the eighteenth century they
have numbered as many men and women as the Sovereign has years of age.
Every year on this day, the Queen attends
a Royal Maundy service in one of the many cathedrals throughout the country.
'Maundy money' is distributed to male and female pensioners from local communities
near the Cathedral where the Service takes place.
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