Hong Kong ten-cent coin

Infobox Coin
Country = Hong Kong
Denomination = 10 cent piece
Value = 0.10
Unit = HKD
Mass = 1.85
Diameter = 17.50
Thickness = 1.15
Edge = plain
Composition = Nickel and brass
Years of Minting = 1863 –1905, 1935 – 1939 and 1948 - present
Catalog Number = -
Obverse = Hk10centscoina.jpg
Obverse Design = Bauhinia
Obverse Designer = Joseph Yam
Obverse Design Date = 1992
Reverse = Hk10centscoinb.jpg
Reverse Design = 10 with value in English and Chinese
Reverse Designer = Joseph Yam
Reverse Design Date = 1992

The ten cent coin is the oldest coin denomination to still be in circulation in Hong Kong. Since being issued in 1863 there has only been one period of 1942-1947 where the coin was not in circulation.

Before the Second World War the coin was first made of 0.80% silver, with a weight of 2.82 g, thickness of 1.1 mm and diameter of 17.50 mm. The 1935-36 was the same weight and mass but made of nickel.

In 1937 the weight was changed to 4.54 g, diameter to 20.57 mm and thickness to 1.85 mm and made of copper-nickel.

In 1948 a new coin was issued for this denomination: a nickel-brass coin 20.57 mm in diameter, weighing 4.54 g and with a thickness of 1.85 mm. The last minting was done in 1980.

Because of risk of confusion with the 50 cent piece as they differ only in size and denomination inscription, the 10 cent piece was redesigned with a plain edge and started minting since 1982. The shape and size has been maintained at launch of the Bauhinia series. The old 10 cent was demonetised a few years later and the new one has been in circulation ever since.

References

* Ma Tak Wo 2004, Illustrated Catalogue of Hong Kong Currency, Ma Tak Wo Numismatic Co., LTD Kowloon Hong Kong. ISBN 962-85939-3-5