10 Euro Cent (2002-Present)
The 10 euro cent coin is the first of three “nordic gold” coins in the euro series. The coin is slightly smaller than the 5 euro cent but weighs 0.18 grams more. It’s made of brass and tends to hold its brilliance a tad longer than the copper-plated steel 1, 2, and 5 euro cents once put into circulation. The 10 euro cent is valued at 1/10th of a euro and is roughly the equivalent of the U.S. dime in terms of its spending power.
The Austrian Mint’s gargantuan production of over 440 million 10 euro cent coins in 2002 meant that no additional circulation strike coins would be minted in 2003. Production resumed – on a much smaller scale – from 2004 onward.
Coin Specifications:
Composition: brass | Weight: 4.1 grams | Size: 19.75 mm
Design:
National Side (Side Unique to the Issuing Country)
Designer: Josef Kaiser
St. Stephen’s Cathedral Spires. Inscription reads: 10 EURO CENT. Austrian Flag beneath CENT. Date located to the bottom right of the flower. Date located to the right of the central motif, arcing around the inner rim.
Central devices and inscription encircled by an inner border. Stars representing each of the original 12 member states of the Eurozone circle the perimeter of the coin and are bordered by a raised outer rim.
Common Side
Designer: Luc Luycx (View Designer’s Profile)
Type 1: Individualized representations of the 12 original Eurozone states stand in front of and divide 12 line segments that have stars at each end. A large numeral “10” and the inscription EURO CENT, all italicized, stand to the right. The designer’s initials “LL” appear to the right of the “10”. Entire design encircled by a raised rim.
Type 2: Same as Type 1, except instead of individualized representations of the 12 original Eurozone states, a full representation of Western Europe stands in the center of the 12 line segments, dividing them.
Production Notes:
The Austrian Mint strikes the ten euro cent in three unique finishes: a business strike intended for general circulation; a satin finish specimen strike produced for collector sets; and proofs, which are sold in annual proof sets.
CoinWeek Austria 10 Euro Cent Business Strike Price Guide
CoinWeek Austria 10 Euro Cent Satin Finish (Mint Set) Price Guide
CoinWeek Austria 10 Euro Cent Proof Coinage Price Guide
the 5.2 million mintages for the business strikes look interesting. I wonder if it is easy to tell a business strike from the specimen strikes. I don’t think this is a problem with the state quarters, but I think the kennedy halves from 65-68 are a tad difficult to distinguish, ie the SMS strikes from the business.
The two types of finish are easy to tell apart. For starters, if you get your coins from a mint set… you know you have a specimen strike. The Austrian Mint has very high standards for collectible coinage production. We were conservative with our grading guidance of MS-67 and MS-68. I think with a little effort, you’ll find MS-69 specimen strikes in mint sets for all denominations- even the 1 and 2 Euro which are notoriously tough to find in high grades.
The business strikes will not have the frosty finish and will be more or less brilliant. To get these, you’ll have to source them from a European dealer- or find an American one that specializes in European modern coins from rolls.
A very cool set to collect and CoinWeek will continue to publish these guides 1 or so a week until we have the entire Austrian Euro series, including commemoratives, and bullion coins posted.
Does anyone know whether a variation on nordic gold could mimic the electronic “signature” of US $1 coins? My experience in the EU was that nordic gold coins seemed to hold up better in circulation than do our manganese-brass dollars, with lot less spotting and darkening.
Of course if nordic gold wouldn’t work readily in US vending machines the question’s moot.
Nordic gold coins hold up great. As for electronic signatures as an issue… the EU uses them in their vending machines.
Counterfeiting is a problem for euro coins- but it is not a problem exclusive to European coinage. We have counterfeit golden dollars as well- they just aren’t as big a problem because the golden dollar coins do not widely circulate in the United States.