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The Australian 10-cent coin is a decimal coin that was first introduced in 1966. It is the second-lowest denomination coin in circulation in Australia. The coin features a lyrebird on its reverse, designed by Stuart Devlin, and the head of Elizabeth II on its obverse. The 10-cent coin is made of copper-nickel and has a diameter of 23.6mm and a weight of 5.65-5.66 grams.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Composition | Copper-nickel |
| Denomination | 0.1 Australian Dollar |
| Diameter | 23.6mm |
| Weight | 5.65 grams |
| Obverse | Different designs featuring the head of Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia |
| Reverse | Male superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae) designed by Stuart Devlin |
| Production | First issued in 1966 by the Royal Mint, London. Since then, produced by the Royal Australian Mint and the Royal Mint, Llantrisant |
| Rarity | 10c Error coins are rare |
| Value | The production cost of a 10c coin is more than its face value. The value of rare 10c coins can be up to 100 times their face value |
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What You'll Learn
The coin's composition is copper-nickel
The composition of Australian 10-cent coins is copper-nickel. These coins were first released into circulation in 1966 by the Royal Australian Mint (RAM). The 10-cent coin was one of Australia's first decimal coinage denominations, introduced in February 1966 when the Australian dollar was introduced as half of an Australian pound. The coin inherited the specifications of the pre-decimal shilling, with both coins worth one-twentieth of a pound.
The 10-cent coin features a male superb lyrebird (*Menura novaehollandiae*) on its reverse, designed by Stuart Devlin. The obverse has featured different designs of the head of Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia. From 1966 to 1984, the head was designed by Arnold Machin, followed by Raphael Maklouf from 1985 to 1998. The obverse was updated again in 1999 with a design by Ian Rank-Broadley, which was used until 2015 and again in 2017. In 2019, a special release was issued to commemorate "Effigies Over Time", featuring the Arnold Machin effigy. The obverse of these coins also includes the inscription "AUSTRALIA" and the year of issue on the right side and "ELIZABETH II" on the left side.
The 10-cent coin has a diameter of 23.6 mm and weighs 5.65 grams. While it is generally issued in large quantities, certain low-mintage dates are sought after by collectors. For example, only two million 10-cent coins were struck in 1985, and this date catalogues at $15 in uncirculated quality. Other low-mintage years include 1991 (4.8 million), 2018 (3.3 million), and 2019 (2 million). The lowest mintage issue was in 2011, with just 1.7 million coins struck, making these coins worth $45 in uncirculated condition.
Due to the Royal Australian Mint's state-of-the-art equipment and quality control, 10-cent error coins are particularly rare. However, blunders do occur occasionally and can end up in circulation. These error coins can be extremely valuable, with some worth thousands of dollars.
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It weighs 5.65-5.66g
The Australian 10-cent coin weighs 5.65 grams or 5.66 grams, depending on the source. This weight is part of the specifications that the coin inherited from the pre-decimal shilling when the Australian dollar was introduced as half of an Australian pound on 14 February 1966. The coin has a diameter of 23.6mm.
The Royal Australian Mint issued Australian Dollar coins in eight different denominations, including the Australian 10-cent coin. The 10-cent coin is part of the Australian Dollar coins series and has been in circulation since 1999.
The bird featured on the front side of the copper-nickel Australian 10-cent coin is a lyrebird, specifically the male superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae). The lyrebird is endemic to South East Australia and was introduced to Tasmania in the 1930s. It is known for its ability to imitate numerous other species and sounds perfectly.
The Australian 10-cent coin has been produced at various mints, including the Royal Mint in London, the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra, and the Royal Mint's headquarters in Llantrisant, Wales. The first issue of 10-cent coins in 1966 was produced at the Royal Mint in London, with 30 million coins minted there and 11 million at the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra.
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It has a diameter of 23.6mm
The Australian 10-cent coin has a diameter of 23.6mm. This copper-nickel coin was first released into circulation in 1966 and has been produced almost every year since. The 10-cent coin is part of the Australian Dollar coin series, with a face value of 0.1 Australian Dollars.
The diameter of the 10-cent coin is an important factor in distinguishing it from other Australian coins. Its relatively small size, at just 23.6mm, makes it easy to differentiate from larger denomination coins, such as the 20-cent or 50-cent pieces. This feature allows individuals to quickly identify and use the correct coins during transactions, ensuring smooth and efficient exchanges.
The 23.6mm diameter also contributes to the weight of the coin. Each 10-cent coin weighs approximately 5.65 grams, making it one of the lighter coins in the Australian currency system. The weight, combined with the diameter, gives the coin a specific feel and balance that can be recognised by touch, enabling individuals to identify the coin without relying solely on visual inspection.
The size and weight of the 10-cent coin are carefully calibrated to ensure it meets the required specifications. The Royal Australian Mint, which produces the coins, employs state-of-the-art equipment and thorough quality control measures to maintain consistency in the diameter, weight, and overall quality of the coins. This attention to detail helps to ensure that each 10-cent coin meets the expected standards and can be confidently used in circulation.
The 23.6mm diameter of the Australian 10-cent coin is, therefore, an important characteristic that aids in its identification, contributes to its weight, and ensures its consistency as a circulating currency.
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The 1997 coin is valuable due to low mintage
The Australian 10-cent coin is a coin of the decimal Australian dollar. It was introduced on 14 February 1966, when the dollar was introduced as half of an Australian pound. The 10-cent coin inherited the specifications of the pre-decimal shilling; both coins were worth one-twentieth of a pound and were called "bob". On introduction, it was the fourth-lowest denomination coin. Since the withdrawal from circulation of the one and two cent coins in 1992, it has been the second-lowest denomination coin in circulation.
The first year of minting, in 1966, saw 30 million coins produced at the British Royal Mint in London, and 11 million at the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra. Since then, all coins have been produced in Canberra, except in 1981 when 40 million coins were produced at the Royal Mint's new headquarters in Llantrisant, Wales, in addition to the 76.1 million produced in Canberra.
The 1997 10-cent coin is particularly valuable due to its low mintage. In 1997, the Royal Australian Mint unexpectedly closed the mintage of the 1997 Mint Set. The mintage of the 1997 10-cent coin was only 5.7 million, making it the lowest mintage Mint Set issue since 1979. As a result, the coin quickly became scarce and soared in value. Mint Sets are a good way to secure individual decimal dates in uncirculated condition, so the low mintage of the 1997 Mint Set made finding a 1997 10-cent coin in uncirculated condition very difficult, driving up its value.
The obverse of the 10-cent coin has featured different designs of the head of Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, since its introduction. From 1966 to 1984, the head was designed by Arnold Machin; from 1985 to 1998, by Raphael Maklouf; from 1999 to 2015 and 2017, by Ian Rank-Broadley; and since 2019, by Jody Clark. The obverse also features the inscription "AUSTRALIA" and the year of issue on the right side, and "ELIZABETH II" on the left side. In 2016, the obverse was designed by G. K. Gray to mark the 50th anniversary of decimal currency.
The reverse of the 10-cent coin features a male superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae), designed by Stuart Devlin. Devlin designed the reverses of all of the coins of the Australian dollar introduced in 1966. The original reverse design of the lyrebird has remained unchanged since the coin's introduction.
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The 1985 coin is also valuable due to low mintage
The Australian 10-cent coin is made of copper-nickel and has been in circulation since the introduction of the decimal Australian dollar on February 14, 1966. On its front side, the coin features a lyrebird, an iconic Australian native bird designed by Stuart Devlin. The reverse side features the head of Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, with the inscription "Australia" and the year of issue.
The 1985 Australian 10-cent coin is particularly valuable due to its low mintage resulting from a severe drop in demand for coinage that year. While the annual average mintage of the 10-cent coin is over 47.5 million, only about two million of these coins were minted in 1985. This rarity makes the 1985 10-cent coin sought-after by collectors and contributes to its higher value compared to other coins in the same denomination.
The low mintage of the 1985 10-cent coin is in stark contrast to the typical production volume of this denomination. In 1966, when the 10-cent coin was first introduced, 30 million coins were produced at the British Royal Mint in London, and an additional 11 million were minted at the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra. Since then, most coins have been minted in Canberra, except in 1981 when production was supplemented by the Royal Mint in Llantrisant, Wales.
The value of the 1985 10-cent coin also highlights the impact of external factors on coin values. While the 1991, 2018, and 2019 mintages had higher circulation numbers, the 1985 coin catalogues at a higher value of $15 in Uncirculated quality. This suggests that the age and condition of coins, in addition to their mintage, play a role in determining their worth.
Overall, the 1985 Australian 10-cent coin's low mintage, coupled with the coin's age and potential collector interest, contribute to its higher value relative to other coins in the same denomination.
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Frequently asked questions
Australian 10 cent coins are made of copper-nickel.
The Australian 10 cent coin was designed by Stuart Devlin. The coin features a male superb lyrebird (*Menura novaehollandiae*) on the reverse and the head of Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on the obverse.
Yes, there are some rare Australian 10 cent coins that are considered valuable by collectors. For example, the 1997 10 cent coin is considered rare because the Royal Australian Mint unexpectedly closed the mintage of the 1997 Mint Set. Other low mintage dates to look out for include 1985, 1991, 2018, and 2019.
