The South African Ten Cents coin (abbreviated as 10c) is currently the smallest circulating coin of the Rand currency - after the 5c denomination was withdrawn in 2012. It was introduced when the currency was decimalised in 1961 and replaced the earlier pre-decimal shilling, retaining its reverse design, dimensions and metal content.
The silver version of the Ten Cents was only issued for four years though; in 1965, the Second Decimal Series was introduced, in which the Ten Cents denomination was made of nickel.
The obverse showed a portrait of Jan van Riebeeck until 1969, with the legend in one language only - either English or Afrikaans, with both versions issued every year. It was then changed to have the Coat of Arms of South Africa, with a bilingual legend. Apart from the regular designs, there were also four commemorative issues with different obverses.
The denomination changed to a smaller bronze-plated steel version in 1990. Thus, 10 cent coins issued in 1968 circulated for 22 years until they were replaced with the steel version.
The 1968 issue commemorates the presidency of Charles Robberts Swart (1894 - 1982) who served as the last Governor General of the Union of South Africa from 1959 to 1961 and the first State President of the Republic of South Africa from 1961 to 1967.
The coins were only issued in the mint sets for the year. |