10 Cents Planchet Trial

Malta's decimal coinage was introduced in 1972 when the country converted from pounds, shillings, and mils to the new cent-based system. Planchet trials from this transition period were produced to verify press tolerances and alloy consistency before full production runs — they carry no design, existing solely as proofs of mechanical and metallurgical process. At 11.3 grams, this blank is notably heavier than the circulating 10-cent piece that followed, suggesting it predates the final specification approval.