Ten Pence 1990 (Proof and mint sets only), Coin from United Kingdom - detailed information

The British decimal ten pence (10p) coin - often pronounced ten pee - is a unit of currency equaling 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). No ten pence coins were issued for circulation in 1990.

Some were struck for the Royal Mint coins sets of the year (102,606 in brilliant uncirculated sets and 79,052 in proof sets).

Crowned bust of Queen Elizabeth II wearing a pearl necklace, facing right (effigy known as the "Third Portrait"); incuse in tiny letters on neck truncation, the designer's initials RDM (for Raphael David Maklouf).

Around, the monarch's legend and the date: ELIZABETH II D · G · REG · F · D · 1990. Translated from Latin: Elizabeth the Second, by the grace of God, Queen, Defender of the Faith 1990.

The original design by Christopher Ironside features a part of the crest of England, a lion passant guardant royally crowned (i.e. a crowned walking lion to left, facing). The numeral value 10 is below the lion and the value and denomination in words: TEN PENCE are around above.