Malta 10 Cents

A 1972 Malta 10 Cents coin is a copper‑nickel decimal‑era piece issued during the final years of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign over Malta. It marks the early phase of Malta’s transition into modern decimal currency and features one of the country’s most iconic maritime designs.

🪙 Core Summary

The 1972 10 Cents is a copper‑nickel circulation coin weighing 11.3 g and measuring 28.5 mm in diameter. It was minted in large quantities—about 10.68 million pieces—and features artwork by Christopher Ironside, the same designer behind several British decimal coins.

⚙️ Specifications

• Country: Malta

• Year: 1972

• Value: 10 Cents (0.10 Maltese Lira)

• Composition: Copper‑nickel (75% copper, 25% nickel)

• Weight: 11.3 g

• Diameter: 28.5 mm

• Thickness: 2.5 mm

• Edge: Milled

• Orientation: Medal alignment (↑↑)

• Mintage: ~10,680,000 circulation coins; ~13,000 proofs

🎨 Design Details

Obverse

• Depicts a traditional Maltese boat (often described as a barge or dgħajsa‑type vessel).

• Flanked by two dolphins, symbolizing Malta’s deep maritime heritage.

• Inscription: MALTA above, 1972 below.

• Designer: Christopher Ironside.

Reverse

• Large “10 CENTS” denomination.

• Surrounded by a wreath of vine leaves, a recurring motif in early Maltese decimal coinage.

• Also designed by Christopher Ironside.

🏛️ Historical Context

The 1972 issue belongs to Malta’s first decimal coinage, introduced as the country shifted from the pre‑decimal system to the Maltese Lira. Although Malta became a republic in 1974, this coin still reflects the Queen Elizabeth II era, making it part of a short transitional window in Maltese numismatic history.

The maritime imagery underscores Malta’s identity as a seafaring nation—its boats, trade routes, and naval history have shaped its culture for centuries. The dolphins and vessel emphasize continuity between tradition and modern statehood.

UK Size	US Size	EU Size	Inside Diameter (mm)	Inside Circumference (mm)
A	0.5	38	12.04	37.8
B	1	39	12.45	39.1
C	1.5	40	12.85	40.4
D	2	41	13.26	41.7
E	2.5	42	13.67	43.0
F	3	44	14.07	44.2
G	3.5	45	14.48	45.5
H	4	46	14.88	46.8
I	4.5	47	15.29	48.0
J	5	49	15.49	48.7
K	5.5	50	15.90	50.0
L	6	51	16.31	51.3
M	6.5	52	16.71	52.5
N	7	54	17.12	53.8
O	7.5	55	17.53	55.1
P	8	56	17.93	56.3
Q	8.5	57	18.34	57.6
R	9	59	18.75	58.9
S	9.5	60	19.15	60.2
T	10	61	19.56	61.4
U	10.5	62	19.96	62.7
V	11	64	20.37	64.0
W	11.5	65	20.78	65.3
X	12	66	21.18	66.6
Y	12.5	67	21.59	67.9
Z	13	68	21.99	69.1
Z+1	13.5	69	22.40	70.4
Z+2	14	70	22.81	71.7
Z+3	14.5	71	23.21	72.9
Z+4	15	72	23.62	74.2