Ten Cents, Coin Type from South Africa - detailed information

The first obverse, designed by Willie Myburg and used between 1961 and 1964, features the portrait of Johan Anthoniszoon van Riebeeck, known as Jan van Riebeeck (1619-1677), Dutch colonial administrator and founder of Cape Town and considered by many people to be the founding father of the South African nation. The designer's initials WM are incuse on the shoulder truncation.

Around left, the motto UNITY IS STRENGTH in English; separated from that by two decorative rosettes, around right the same in Afrikaans: EENDRAG MAAK MAG.

The second obverse (1965 - 1969), designed by Tommy Sasseen, has a different portrait of Jan van Riebeeck - facing right; the legend is in one language only - either SOUTH AFRICA or SUID-AFRIKA, with both versions issued every year.

The third obverse (1970 - present) displays the Coat of Arms of South Africa at its centre. This was the old (1910) Coat of Arms until 2000, then was updated to the current symbol. The legend was bilingual, in Afrikaans: SUID-AFRIKA, and in English: SOUTH AFRICA. In 1996, the legend was changed to one language only: SOUTH AFRICA in English, then an annual rotation of the language of the legend was instituted after 2001.

The first reverse design (1961 - 1964) continues the original design of the shilling, with a small modification; it depicts a standing female figure, her right arm resting on a large anchor, with sea waves in the background; unlike the shilling, there is no star to the right of the figure. Between her flowing robes and the waves, the designer's initials KG (for George Kruger Gray).

Above, the date of issue: · [year] ·.

Around left and around right, respectively the legend SOUTH AFRICA in English and SUID-AFRIKA in Afrikaans.

Around below, flanked by two rosettes, the value and denomination * 5 c. * (Five Cents).

The second reverse (1965 - 1989) depicts an aloe plant (Aloe succotrina, or Fynbos aloe). Above, the numeral value 10 (Ten Cents).

At the base of the plant on the left side, the initials of the designer T.S. (for Tommy Sasseen).

The third reverse (1990 - present) depicts a bunch of Arum lilies (Zantedeschia aethiopica) - flowers native to South Africa.

To the right, the value and the abbreviated denomination 10 c (Ten Cents).

At the base of the plants on the left side, the initials of the designer RCM (for Robert Campbell McFarlane).

Note that there are also half-ounce silver bullion coins denominated as 10 cents in face value.