It was introduced two years prior to Decimal Day, 15 February 1971, due to its value at a tenth of a pound being the same as the previous florin.

It retained the exact design and dimensions (except denomination) of the florin coin, introduced to the Irish Free State in 1928.

The original ten pence weighed 11.31036 grams (0.398961 oz) and had a diameter of 2.85 centimetres (1.12 in).

In 1993 a replacement was struck at 2.2 centimetres (0.87 in) diameter and 5.45 grams (0.192 oz).

All of the original ten pence coins were withdrawn on 1 June 1994.