Great Britain 1853 Maundy 4 Pence Very Fine (VF20)

Great Britain 1853 Maundy 4 Pence Very Fine (VF20)Maundy 4 pence pieces are among the special silver coins traditionally distributed by the British monarch during the annual Royal Maundy ceremony, a custom dating back to the Middle Ages. The ceremony commemorates Christ's washing of the disciples' feet at the Last Supper, with the monarch symbolically offering alms to deserving elderly recipients. Since the reign of Charles II, specially struck silver Maundy coins in denominations of 1, 2, 3, and 4 pence have been produced for this purpose. Each recipient receives a number of pence equal to the sovereign's age, making the 4 pence the highest denomination in the traditional Maundy set.

Unlike circulating coinage, Maundy 4 pence pieces have long been struck to exceptionally high standards using sterling silver (92.5% silver) and, since 1920, silver of .500 fineness in line with Britain's circulating silver coinage before returning to sterling silver in 1947 for Maundy issues only. Although legal tender, they were never intended for everyday commerce and instead remain treasured as ceremonial gifts and collectible coins. Because they have been issued annually for centuries and feature changing royal portraits, Maundy 4 pence pieces provide collectors with a fascinating record of British monarchs and one of the longest-running ceremonial coin traditions in the world.

Obverse: Young uncrowned portrait of Queen Victoria ("Young Head") facing left, with the legend around.
Reverse: Crowned denomination divides the date within an oak wreath.

Specifications:
Monarch: Victoria (1837-1901)
Engraver: William Wyon
Composition: 0.925 silver
Weight: 1.89 g
Diameter: 18 mm
Die Axis: ↑↓
Mint: The Royal Mint, London, United Kingdom
Mintage: 4,158