Catalogo
| Emittente | Papua New Guinea |
|---|---|
| Anno | 1975-2001 |
| Tipo | Standard circulation coin |
| Valore | 10 Toea |
| Valuta | Kina (1975-date) |
| Composizione | Copper-nickel (75% Copper, 25% Nickel) |
| Peso | 5.67 g |
| Diametro | 23.72 mm |
| Spessore | 1.98 mm |
| Forma | Round |
| Tecnica | Milled |
| Orientamento | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Incisore/i | |
| In circolazione fino al | |
| Riferimento/i | KM#4 |
| Descrizione del dritto | Coat of Arms of Papua New Guinea (a bird-of-paradise over a traditional spear and a Kundu drum). |
|---|---|
| Scrittura del dritto | Latin |
| Legenda del dritto | PAPUA NEW GUINEA FM 1975 |
| Descrizione del rovescio | Spotted Cuscus (Spilocuscus maculatus). |
| Scrittura del rovescio | Latin |
| Legenda del rovescio | 10t |
| Bordo | Reeded |
| Zecca |
Royal Mint, Llantrisant, United Kingdom (1968-date) (FM) Franklin Mint (The Franklin Mint), Wawa, Pennsylvania, United States (1964-date) |
| Tiratura |
1975 - - 8 600 000 1975 FM - Matte - 8 300 1975 FM - Proof - 67 000 1975 FM - Special Uncirculated - 4 134 1976 - - 1976 FM - Matte - 8 300 1976 FM - Proof - 16 000 1976 FM - Special Uncirculated - 976 1977 FM - Matte - 8 300 1977 FM - Proof - 7 721 1977 FM - Special Uncirculated - 603 1978 FM - Matte - 8 300 1978 FM - Proof - 5 540 1978 FM - Special Uncirculated - 777 1979 FM - Matte - 8 300 1979 FM - Proof - 2 728 1979 FM - Special Uncirculated - 1 366 1980 FM - Proof - 2 125 1980 FM - Special Uncirculated - 1 160 1981 - Proof - 10 000 1982 FM - Matte - 1982 FM - Proof - 1983 FM - Proof - 1983 FM - Special Uncirculated - 360 1984 FM - Proof - 1995 - - 1996 - - 1998 - - 1999 - - 2001 - - |
| ID Numisquare | 2210519040 |
| Informazioni aggiuntive |
Historical Context: The 10 Toea Elizabeth II Spotted Cuscus coin, issued by Papua New Guinea from 1975 to 2001, represents a pivotal era in the nation's history. Its inaugural year, 1975, coincided with Papua New Guinea achieving full independence from Australia, establishing its own currency system. Bearing the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, as Head of the Commonwealth, the coin symbolizes both the nation's newly acquired sovereignty and its continued ties to the Commonwealth realm. The selection of the Spotted Cuscus, a distinctive marsupial native to New Guinea, firmly rooted the coinage in the country's unique biodiversity and cultural identity, fostering a sense of national pride during its formative years.
Artistry: The obverse features the widely recognized second portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Arnold Machin, depicting her facing right, adorned with the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara. This classical yet approachable rendition became a standard across many Commonwealth coinages of the period. The reverse, designed by William (Bill) Williams, showcases a naturalistic depiction of the Spotted Cuscus (Spilocuscus maculatus) perched on a branch. Williams’s design emphasizes the animal's unique spotted fur and its arboreal habitat, rendered with a focus on biological accuracy typical of the naturalistic school prevalent in post-colonial coin designs aiming to highlight indigenous fauna.
Technical/Grading: Struck in copper-nickel (75% Copper, 25% Nickel), this coin measures 23.72 mm and weighs 5.67 grams. For collectors, key high-points to assess strike quality include the intricate details of the Queen's tiara and hair on the obverse. On the reverse, critical areas are the fine fur texture of the cuscus, particularly its head and back, and the definition of the branch texture. A strong strike will exhibit clear separation of individual hairs and sharp detail in the cuscus's eye. Due to its long circulation life, coins often show evidence of wear, particularly on the higher points of the cuscus's fur and the Queen's bust.