3 Evenings - Exhibition of Maundy Coins and Coronation of King Charles III Special Events May 2, 3, and 4 in the English Nationality Room

Join us as The English Nationality Room in partnership with Britsburgh and the Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists celebrates the coronation of King Charles III with a special Coronation Week exhibition of genuine Maundy Money coins spanning the reigns of 17 British monarchs who ruled over the course of more than 360 years. Maundy money is traditionally given out by the Sovereign at a special Royal Maundy service held on the Thursday before Easter and, historically, was given to the elderly poor of London. The coins are specially struck for each monarch and, unlike ordinary currency, do not change over the course of the Sovereign's reign. It is traditional for the Sovereign to distribute gifts according to the number of years he or she has lived: For example, when she turned 80, the late Queen Elizabeth II distributed 80 pence worth of Maundy money to 80 men and 80 women in recognition for their contribution to community and to the church. The late Queen also decided Maundy money should not just be distributed to the people of London, and so she traveled to various cathedrals or abbeys to give gifts to local people, ultimately visiting over the course of her long reign every cathedral in the realm. King Charles III may himself choose to further innovate or modify these traditions.

"We are honored . . . to commemorate the coronation of King Charles III," commented Tom Uram, President of the Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists (PAN). "One of the enduring symbols of the British Royal Family are the coins produced throughout their reigns, which everyone can recognize and many collect. This exhibit of Royal Maundy money is an important record of British history." The Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists (PAN) is a 700-member strong association of coin clubs throughout the Commonwealth with many members in Western Pennsylvania. "

Our Maundy Money exhibition events will take place over the course of 3 evenings in the English Nationality Room of the University of Pittsburgh. You may sign up for as many of the 3 evenings as you wish; please register for each one separately. To register, go to www.britsburgh.com and visit the Events page.

Tues., May 2, 2023 (6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.) - Reception featuring British-style charcuterie and a special Coronation cake in the Braun Room of the Cathedral of Learning (12th Floor) and Maundy Money Exhibition and Talk by PAN President Tom Uram in the English Nationality Room.

Wed., May 3, 2023 (6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.) - Maundy Money Exhibition and Talk by Kim Szczypinski of Britsburgh on King Charles II, namesake of the present British Sovereign and the first to mint and distributed Maundy Money coins.

Thurs., May 4, 2023 (6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.) - Maundy Money Exhibition and Talk by Patrick McBride, Benjamin Franklin Reenactor, in character as Franklin on the topic "Ben Franklin, the Anglophile".