George VI 1952 bronze Maundy Set, NGC MS64/65RB, only two known

George VI (1936-52), Maundy Set struck in bronze, 1952, second issue design, Fourpence, weight 1.61g, weight Threepence, 1.36g, weight Twopence, 0.91g and weight Penny, 0.63g, bare head left, tiny HP initials below, GEORGIVS VI D: G: BR: OMN: REX FIDEI DEF., rev struck en médaille, crowned mark of value and date within wreath, edges plain, (Bull 4323 R7; Robinson 904, 905, 906, 907 and plate 105 these coins; S 4096). Brilliant mint state, slightly uneven tone with full underlying brilliance, only one other set known to be in private ownership, of the highest rarity, has been graded and slabbed by NGC as below:

Fourpence MS64RB, NGC Certification 8220389-001
Threepence MS64RB, NGC Certification 8220389-002
Twopence MS65RB, NGC Certification 8220389-003
Penny MS64RB, NGC Certification 8220389-004

This very unusual set of maundy coins is catalogued as being struck in copper in Robinson and in previous sale appearances, however the appearance of the metal and colouration suggests that they are struck in bronze as per the regular Halfpennies and Farthings of this date, so we have catalogued it as bronze.

The only other set known was sold in Baldwin Auction 93, held on 5^th May 2015, lot 234 for £7,600 hammer. Dr Robinson, in his book Silver Pennies and Linen Towels, discusses these off-metal strikes including the 1953 Gold Maundy set on pages 197-198, but alas there is no official record or explanation from the mint as to why they were struck. Former Deputy Comptroller Dr D J Gerhard speculated that the base metal copper sets could have been made to aid working with a manufacturer of cases to house Maundy coins. The enigma we are left with today is two copper sets extant in private hands.

Provenance:

Ex Mrs Emery May Norweb Collection (purchased this set 1963), part II, Spink Coin Auction 48, 13^th November 1985, lot 733 sold £850 hammer.

Plate coin 105 in Silver Pennies and Linen Towels by Dr Brian Robinson.