Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the weight of a newly minted 10 pence piece; what is the weight after it has been in circulation for several years; and what assessment they have made of the acceptance of new 10 pence pieces by coin-operated machines.

Since the introduction of a smaller version in 1992, newly minted ten pence pieces have had a weight of 6.5 grammes. This remained the case from January 2012, when the composition was changed from a cupronickel alloy to nickel-plated steel. The weight of a ten pence piece does not change materially over the course of its lifecycle.

The Royal Mint works closely with a number of trade associations and manufacturers of coin operated equipment on an ongoing basis, and consulted with them when determining the precise specification of the nickel-plated steel ten pence piece. Whilst no formal assessment of acceptance has been made, members and operators are all routinely encouraged to upgrade their equipment.