1969 10 pence trial coin?

[Guest vernon]

My Father has got a 1969 10 pence coin. It doesn't say "NEW PENCE" so the date would be correct.

Only thing is, it's not a silver colour, but all copper! On the plastic cover he has it in, it has a written label

saying 10 pence TRIAL. Would this be a trial coin?

Any help would be appreciated.

[Half Penny Jon 0]

I have never seen a trial peice for decimal coinage but the coin which you describe does indeed sound like a trial piece. Trial pieces are coins struck by the mint for testing purposes before they started to mint the new coins.

Chris, can you add anything?

[Chris Perkins 228]

I'd very much like to see a picture of it. If you register Vernon, you can post a picture. Or you can email me a picture to: cp@predecimal.com

[Half Penny Jon 0]

It sounds very interesting, trial pieces are hard to come by sometimes. It sounds right that it is a trial piece because it was tested in 1969.

Edited May 15, 2004 by Half Penny Jon

[Master Jmd 80]

why 1969?...new 10 pences started in 1968...

[Half Penny Jon 0]

Ah yes, maybe they were doing trials for patterns?

[Emperor Oli 0]

it's not a silver colour, but all copper!

why 1969?...new 10 pences started in 1968...

It could obviously be a trial for copper 10 pences instead of the silver ones.