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(abbreviated as 10c) is currently the smallest circulating coin of the Rand currency - after the 5c denomination was withdrawn in 2012.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. With the Third Decimal Series this was changed to a smaller bronze-plated steel version in 1990; in 2012 the plating on the 10c coin was changed from bronze to copper, giving it a reddish appearance.
The obverse 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 initially bilingual, then one language only. An annual rotation of the language of the legend was instituted after 2001, with one of the eleven official languages of the country displayed each year.
10c coins issued in 1996 have now been in circulation for 27 years.
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