Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 10 Cents 1976-2017, KM# 31, Trinidad and Tobago
  • 10 Cents 1976-2017, KM# 31, Trinidad and Tobago
Description

The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is the southernmost island country in the Caribbean.

Obverse

Coat of arms of Trinidad and Tobago. Date and mintmark (if any) below.

The coat of arms of Trinidad and Tobago was designed by a committee formed in 1962 to select the symbols that would be representative of the people of Trinidad and Tobago. The committee included artist Carlisle Chang (1921–2001) and carnival designer George Bailey (1935–1970).

The palm tree crest at the top of the coat of arms was taken from Tobago's coat of arms before it was joined in political union with Trinidad. The shield comprises the same colours (black, red, and white) as the nation's flag. The gold ships represent the Santa María, La Niña, and La Pinta: the three ships Christopher Columbus used on his journey to the “New World”. The two birds on the shield are hummingbirds. Trinidad is sometimes referred to as the “Land of the Hummingbird” because 18 different species of hummingbird have been recorded on the island. The two larger birds are the Scarlet Ibis (left) and the Cocrico (right), the national birds of Trinidad and Tobago. Below the Scarlet Ibis are three hills, representing the Trinity Hills in southern Trinidad, which, it is believed, convinced Columbus to name the island after the Holy Trinity. The island rising out of the waters beneath the Cocrico represents Tobago. Below these birds is the nation's motto, "Together We Aspire, Together We Achieve."

REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
TOGETHER WE ASPIRE TOGETHER WE ACHIEVE
2005

Reverse

Depicts Hibiscus flower with the denomination below.

Hibiscus is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae. The genus is quite large, comprising several hundred species that are native to warm temperate, subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world. Member species are renowned for their large, showy flowers and those species are commonly known simply as "hibiscus", or less widely known as rose mallow. A tea made from hibiscus flowers is known by many names around the world and is served both hot and cold. The beverage is known for its red color, tart flavor, and vitamin C content. In Jamaica, Trinidad and many other islands in the Caribbean, the drink is known as sorrel (Hibiscus sabdariffa; not to be confused with Rumex acetosa, a species sharing the common name sorrel).

10
CENTS

Edge

10 Cents

KM# 31 Schön# 30
Characteristics
Material Cupronickel
Weight 1.4 g
Diameter 16.3 mm
Thickness 0.9 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mints
Franklin Mint (FM)
Royal Mint

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