1983 is the first date of Vanuatu’s regular coinage: in May that year the Reserve Bank put the circulating vatu coins into use, and the 10 vatu received the robber crab, better known as the coconut crab.

Birgus latro is the largest living land arthropod, weighing up to 4.1 kg with a leg span of up to 90 cm. On the reverse the crab is shown among coconut palms with the value above. The obverse carries the national emblem: a Melanesian warrior with a spear, a boar’s tusk, namele leaves and the Bislama motto «LONG GOD YUMI STANAP» («In God we stand»).

The coin was struck by the Royal Mint in Britain. The only vatu coin before 1983 was the commemorative 50 vatu of 1981, so this date opens the country’s run of circulation coins.

Grade AU-UNC: traces of circulation are minimal, just light rub on the highest points, with most of the lustre intact. For a 10 vatu date set it is the opening piece.

You can compare this coin with the country’s other issues in the VPcoins catalogue.