Elizabeth II (1952-, Maundy set, 1999 [4]. Brilliant mint state (£80-100)

The Maundy coins of the present reign istill retain Mary Gillick’s head of the queen first introduced in 1953 over forty years ago, and have survived several changes of portraits, including, as this set of 1999 shows, the most recent — and perhaps least flattering — one. It is a curious anomoly. Brian Robinson (“Silver Pennies and Linen towels”, p. 191) points out that this continuity was not maintained for economic reasons but was “an expression of affection for a charming portrait of the queen.”