© Heritage Auctions
© Heritage Auctions
2 Pence - William III incl. Maundy
| Silver (.925) | 1.0 g | 14 mm |
| Issuer | England (United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies) |
|---|---|
| King | William III (1694-1702) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1698-1701 |
| Value | 2 Pence (1⁄120) |
| Currency | Pound sterling (1158-1970) |
| Composition | Silver (.925) |
| Weight | 1.0 g |
| Diameter | 14 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-08 |
| Numista | N#28221 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 90% |
Reverse
Crown over denomination dividing date, legend around.
Note: varieties with larger or smaller 2 (see below)
Script: Latin
Lettering:
MAG·BR·FRA·ET·HIB·REG·17 01·
2
Translation: King of Great Britain France and Ireland
Comment
Reverse die varieties:Sp#3551, KM#500.1 (1698 only) Crown to edge dividing date, larger figure 2;
Sp#3551A, KM#500.2 (1698-1701) Crown below line of divided date, smaller figure 2;
The standard weight of this coin was 1/31 troy ounce or 15.5 grains.
Before the Great Recoinage of 1817, there is no known evidence to suggest that separate 'prooflike' strikes were issued for the Maundy ceremony, suggesting that the money handed out was identical to the current circulating coinage.
Sp#3553 Maundy money sets listed with their KM# ref:
1698 MDS30 1700 MDS32 1701 MDS33
1699 MDS31
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the 2 Pence coin from William III's reign is that it was part of a series of coins that were minted with a new design every year, known as the "Maundy" coins. These coins were minted in small quantities and were used as part of the King's annual gift to the poor, known as the "Maundy money". This tradition of minting special coins for the Maundy gift has continued to this day, with the British monarch still distributing Maundy money to selected recipients on Maundy Thursday.
