In 1989 the South African Mint proposed a new coin series for South Africa and recommended a complete change to electroplated coins as a solution to the escalating costs of materials and manufacturing and the increasing risk of falsification.

The new series was divided into three different groups:

The Arum Lily (Zantedeschia Aethiopica) is a distinguished South African flower. It originally appeared on the 50c coin from 1965 to 1989, as part of South Africa's second decimal series. In 1989 the third decimal coin series was introduced and the Arum Lily was selected for the 10c coin. The design was developed from the original artwork by Cynthna Letty. The Arum Lily is also known as the white calla lily, aronskelk or varkblom (pig lily). The latter name is due to the fact that the plant's nutritious rootstock is favoured by pigs and to some extent by porcupines. The plant is also used medicinally in various ways. The white Arum Lily can be evergreen or deciduous, depending on how much water is gets. The spathe (flower) varies in colour from white to cream and a green and white variation is also found in semi shaded areas.

Specifications

Language rotation

2002 - Xitsonga

2003 - English

2004 - Setswana

2005 - Sepedi/Sesotho

2006 - Afrikaana

2007 - isiXhosa

2008 - isiZuli

2009 - isiNdebele

2010 - Tshivenda

2011 - siSwati