Ten Cents, Steel, Coin Type from South Africa - detailed information

The obverse of the coin displays the Coat of Arms of South Africa at its centre; this is the 1910 Coat of Arms until 2000, then the new one.

Around left and around right, the name of the country in one or two of the country's eleven official languages.

Below (until 2000) or above (2000 and after), the date of issue: [year].

From 1990 to 2022:
Within a nine-sided rim, the reverse of the coin 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).

From 2023:
Within an eight-sided rim, the reverse of the coin depicts the Cape honey bee (Apis mellifera capensis) and the denomination numeral 10c. In the left field, the initials of the designer SDN (Sebastian Naicker ?).

About the 1990 design, the South African Mint says:
"The Arum Lily (Zantedeschia Aethiopica) is a distinguished South African flower. It originally appeared on the 50c coin from 1965 to 1989, as part of South Africa’s second decimal series. In 1989 the third decimal coin series was introduced and the Arum Lily was selected for the 10c coin. The design was developed from the original artwork by Cynthna Letty. The Arum Lily is also known as the white calla lily, aronskelk or varkblom (pig lily). The latter name is due to the fact that the plant’s nutritious rootstock is favoured by pigs and to some extent by porcupines. The plant is also used medicinally in various ways. The white Arum Lily can be evergreen or deciduous, depending on how much water is gets. The spathe (flower) varies in colour from white to cream and a green and white variation is also found in semi shaded areas."

About the 2023 design:
"The Cape honey bee performs a significant role in South African agriculture and the agricultural economy, pollinating plants and providing honey."