Ten Pence 1997, 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 together with the florin in 1993 and replaced with a smaller version, which retained the original design by Christopher Ironside.

These small ten pence coins were minted from cupronickel (75% Cu, 25% Ni). In 2008, a new 10p design by Matthew Dent was introduced, initially in copper-nickel as well, then in nickel-plated steel after 2012. However, the old-type small coins are still legal tender; coins issued in 1997 have now been circulating for 28 years. The 10p coin is legal tender for amounts up to £5.

From January 2013, the Royal Mint began a programme to gradually remove the previous cupro-nickel coins (of both designs) from circulation with replacement by the nickel-plated steel versions.