Ten Pence 1981, Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

The British decimal ten pence (10p) coin - often pronounced ten pee - is a unit of currency equalling ten one-hundredths of a pound sterling.

The coin was first issued in 1968 before the currency was decimalised, to circulate in parallel with the florin (two shillings) coin it eventually replaced. Its dimensions were the same as those of the florin, and the florin remained current after 1970, re-denominated as ten new pence.

After a review of the United Kingdom coinage in 1987, the Government announced its intention to issue a smaller 10p coin, which was first issued on 30 September 1992. The original (large) version of the ten pence coin was demonetised in 1993 together with the florin and replaced with a smaller version, which retained the original design by Christopher Ironside.

The large ten pence coins were minted from cupronickel (75% Cu, 25% Ni). Coins issued in 1981 circulated for 12 years before being demonetised in 1993.