It refers to the old Roman empire practice of killing one in ten of a resisting populace. These fine coins were thusly knifed before their time. The tyrant subjected them to a premature and unjust demise. Their comely shapes were struck down by an evil and inexorable system of maths, leading precipitously to the present day brexit, the reclaiming of English heritage from Johnny Foreigner (I could go on like this for hours, say when).
EDITED: 18 Feb 2017 03:00 by DSMITHHFX