1974 US USA Franklin Mint HOLIDAY Christmas Carolers Proof Silver Medal i112709

  
The publication of Christmas music books in the 19th century helped to widen the popular appeal of carols. The Herald Angels Sing appear in English antiquarian William Sandys' 1833 collection. During the years that the Puritan ban on Christmas was in place in England, semi-clandestine religious services marking Christ's birth continued to be held, and people sang carols in secret.