10 Centavos Coins 1969–1979

The 10 Centavos aluminum coins issued by the Portuguese Republic between 1969 and 1979 form the series known as the “marcelinos”, created under Decree‑Law 49167 of August 4, 1969 and amended by Decree‑Law 525/70 of November 6, 1970. The series began with the 1969 coin, struck in a larger module and considered a trial piece that entered circulation by mistake. The 1970 coin, did not circulate and is regarded as a pattern issue. From 1971 onwards, the definitive module was adopted and remained unchanged until 1979, covering the regular production of the series. These coins were withdrawn from circulation on January 1, 1982 under Decree‑Law 267/81, marking the final phase of Republican fractional coinage before the later reforms of the escudo.