Old Size 10p Coins

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The original 10p was first issued in 1968 as a larger coin and was initially used alongside and was the same size as its predecimal equivalent coin, the florin (two shillings). In 1992 the 10p was made smaller and lighter. For the smaller current type, see here. Note that there are many minor varieties for these old-size 10p coins. The best information on them that I have seen is in a book called ‘The Identification of British 20th Century Silver Coin Varieties” by David J Groom. It contains over 30 pages just covering large 10p varieties!

Specifications are shown at the bottom of this page.

Obverse Type 1, used 1968 – 1984 (bust design by Arnold Machin):

10p1977obv

Reverse Type 1, used 1968 – 1981 (design by Christopher Ironside):

10p1977rev

Edge: Milled.

The design:

English lion, royally crowned. ‘NEW PENCE’ and ’10’ above and below.

Dates:

1968, Mintage 336,143,250.
1969, Mintage 314,008,000.
1970, Mintage 133,571,000.
1971, Mintage 63,205,000.
1972, None for circulation – 107,807 were made for proof sets.
1973, Mintage 152,174,000.
1974, Mintage 92,741,000.
1975, Mintage 181,559,000.
1976, Mintage 228,220,000.
1977, Mintage 59,323,000.
1978, None for circulation – 88,100 were made for proof sets.
1979, Mintage 115,457,000.
1980, Mintage 88,650,000
1981, Mintage 3,487,000.

Collectability/Scarcity: 1 for the high mintage coins, 2 for 1972 and 1978 (for scale details see here)

 

Obverse Type 1, used 1968 – 1984 (bust design by Arnold Machin):

10p1977obv

Reverse Type 2, used 1982 – 1990 (design by Christopher Ironside):

10p1991rev

Edge: Milled.

The design:

English lion, royally crowned. ‘TEN PENCE’ and ’10’ above and below.

Dates:

1982, None for circulation – 323,630 were made for annual proof/BU sets.
1983, None for circulation – 614,655 were made for annual proof/BU sets.
1984, None for circulation – 265,340 were made for annual proof/BU sets.
Collectability/Scarcity (all): 2 (for scale details see here)

 

Obverse Type 2, used 1985 – 1992 (bust design by Raphael Maklouf):

10p1991obv

Reverse Type 2, used 1982 – 1992 (design by Christopher Ironside):

10p1991rev

Edge: Milled.

Dates:

1985, None for circulation – 280,390 were made for annual proof/BU sets.
1986, None for circulation – 167,000 were made for annual proof/BU sets.
1987, None for circulation – 261,084 were made for annual proof/BU sets.
1988, None for circulation – 213,381 were made for annual proof/BU sets.
1989, None for circulation – 162,643 were made for annual proof/BU sets.
1990, None for circulation – 181,658 were made for annual proof/BU sets.
1991, None for circulation – 130,119 were made for annual proof/BU sets.
1992, None for circulation – 155,426 were made for annual proof/BU sets.

Collectability/Scarcity (all): 2 (for scale details see here)

To see the 1992 to date smaller current 10p coins, see here.

 

Specifications for all old size 10p coins:

Size: 28.5mm
Width: 1.85mm
Metal Composition 1968 – 1992: Cupro-nickel (75% copper, 25% nickel)
Weight: 11.31 grammes

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