Ten pence (British coin)

Ten pence
United Kingdom
Value£0.10
Mass(1968–1992) 11.31 g
(1992–present) 6.5 g
Diameter(1968–1992) 28.5 mm
(1992–present) 24.5 mm
Thickness(Cupro-nickel) 1.85 mm
(Steel) 2.05 mm
EdgeMilled
CompositionCupro-nickel (1971–2012)
Nickel-plated steel (2012–)
Years of minting1968–present
Obverse
DesignQueen Elizabeth II
DesignerJody Clark
Design date2015
Reverse
DesignSegment of the Royal Shield
DesignerMatthew Dent
Design date2008

The British decimal ten pence coin (often shortened to 10p in writing and speech) is a denomination of sterling coinage worth 110 of a pound. Its obverse has featured the profile of Queen Elizabeth II since the coin's introduction in 1968, to replace the florin (two shilling) coin in preparation for decimalisation in 1971.[1] It remained the same size as the florin (which also remained legal tender) until a smaller version was introduced on 30 September 1992, with the older coins being withdrawn on 30 June 1993.[2] Four different portraits of the Queen have been used on the coin; the latest design by Jody Clark was introduced in 2015. The second and current reverse, featuring a segment of the Royal Shield, was introduced in 2008.

The ten pence coin was originally minted from cupro-nickel (75% Cu, 25% Ni), but since 2012 it has been minted in nickel-plated steel due to the increasing price of metal. From January 2013 the Royal Mint began a programme to gradually remove the cupro-nickel coins from circulation and replace them with the nickel-plated steel versions.[3]

As of March 2014, there were an estimated 1,631 million 10p coins in circulation, with an estimated face value of £163.08 million.[4]

10p coins are legal tender for amounts up to the sum of £5 when offered in repayment of a debt; however, the coin's legal tender status is not normally relevant for everyday transactions.

  1. ^ Bignell, C P. "Post decimalisation". Retrieved 2006-05-23.
  2. ^ Stephen Eckett; Craig Pearce (2008). Harriman's Money Miscellany: A Collection of Financial Facts and Corporate Curiosities. Harriman House Limited. p. 19. ISBN 978-1-905641-95-6.
  3. ^ "Cupro Nickel Replacement Programme". Royal Mint. 2013.
  4. ^ "Mintage Figures". Royal Mint. Retrieved 28 December 2015.