Guide to the Central Bank of Ceylon specimen banknotes
MS 4821
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Collection Summary
- Title
- Central Bank of Ceylon specimen banknotes
- Date Range
- 1951 - 1968
- Collection Number
- MS 4821
- Extent
- 0.01 metres (1 binder)
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- NLA
- Sponsor
- The digitisation of the Library’s Currency Collection was made possible by the generous financial support of donors to the Banknotes and Currency Preservation Appeal (2015). The Library gratefully acknowledges this support.
Introduction
Scope and Contents
A set of seventeen specimen notes issued by the Central Bank of Ceylon, comprising design variations of notes in the following denominations: one rupee, two rupees, three rupees and ten rupees.
Conditions Governing Access
Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/1341999).
Conditions Governing Use
Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions. For such material, written permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder(s). Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Acquired from the Note Issues and Banking Operations Department of the Reserve Bank of Australia in 1972.
References
References used in the creation of this finding aid include:
Standard catalogue of world paper money by Albert Pick, vol 2, c1990
Historical Note
The Indian rupee was made Ceylon's official currency in 1836 and the Central Bank of Ceylon took over issuance of paper money in 1951.
Item Descriptions
Central Bank of Ceylon specimen one rupee banknote, No. A/1 000000, 20 January 1951 (Item 1)
Issue details
Category: specimen
Denomination: one Indian rupee
Issuer: Central Bank of Ceylon
Printer: BWC
issue date: 20 January 1951
Serial number: No. A/1 000000
Signature/s: JR Jayawardena, Minister of Finance/John Exter, Governor Central Bank of Ceylon
Overprinting: stamped SPECIMEN in red above serial number. Two cancellation holes punched through Signature/s.
Circulation status: uncirculated
Illustrative content: front: vignette of George VI at left; back: ornate staircase at right
Condition: uncirculated
Watermark: Lion of Ceylon
Physical description: dimensions - 107x59 mm; blue on orange and green underprint
Industry catalogue/number: Pick P29
Additional information
The Indian rupee was made Ceylon's official currency in 1836 and the Central Bank of Ceylon took over issuance of paper money in 1951.
Central Bank of Ceylon specimen one rupee banknote, No. A/1 000000, 3 June 1952 (Item 2)
Issue details
Category: specimen
Denomination: one Indian rupee
Issuer: Central Bank of Ceylon
Printer: BWC
issue date: 3 June 1952
Serial number: No. A/1 000000
Signature/s: JR Jayawardena, Minister of Finance/John Exter, Governor Central Bank of Ceylon
Overprinting: stamped SPECIMEN in red above serial number. Two cancellation holes punched through Signature/s.
Circulation status: uncirculated
Illustrative content: front: vignette of Elizabeth II at left; back: ornate staircase at right
Condition: uncirculated
Watermark: Lion of Ceylon
Physical description: dimensions - 107x59 mm; blue on orange and green underprint
Industry catalogue/number: Pick P31
Central Bank of Ceylon specimen one rupee banknote, No. A/68 000000, 30 July 1956 (Item 3)
Issue details
Category: specimen
Denomination: one Indian rupee
Issuer: Central Bank of Ceylon
Printer: BWC
Issue date: 30 June 1956
Serial number: No. A/68 000000
Signature/s: JR Jayawardena, Minister of Finance/John Exter, Governor Central Bank of Ceylon
Overprinting: stamped SPECIMEN in red above serial number. Two cancellation holes punched through Signature/s.
Circulation status: uncirculated
Illustrative content: front: vignette of Elizabeth II at left; back: ornate staircase at right
Condition: uncirculated
Watermark: Lion of Ceylon
Physical description: dimensions - 107x59 mm; blue on orange and green underprint
Industry catalogue/number: Pick P37
Central Bank of Ceylon specimen two rupee banknote, No. E/1 000000, 3 June 1952 (Item 4)
Issue details
Category: specimen
Denomination: two Indian rupees
Issuer: Central Bank of Ceylon
Printer: BWC
Issue date: 3 June 1952
Serial number: No. E/1 000000
Signature/s: JR Jayawardena, Minister of Finance/John Exter, Governor Central Bank of Ceylon
Overprinting: stamped SPECIMEN in red above serial number. Two cancellation holes punched through signatures.
Circulation status: uncirculated
Illustrative content: front: vignette of Elizabeth II at left; back: pavilion on right
Condition: uncirculated
Watermark: Lion of Ceylon
Physical description: dimensions - 121x67 mm; brown and lilac on blue and green underprint
Industry catalogue/number: Pick P32
Central Bank of Ceylon specimen two rupee banknote, No. E/65 000000, 18 August 1960 (Item 5)
Issue details
Category: specimen
Denomination: two Indian rupees
Issuer: Central Bank of Ceylon
Printer: BWC
Issue date: 18 August 1960
Serial number: No. E/65 000000
Signature/s: two signatures in Sinhalese
Overprinting: stamped SPECIMEN in red above serial number. Two cancellation holes punched above signatures.
Circulation status: uncirculated
Illustrative content: front: vignette of Sinhalese lion at left; back: pavilion on right
Condition: uncirculated
Watermark: Lion of Ceylon with security strip
Physical description: dimensions - 121x67 mm; brown and lilac on blue and green underprint
Industry catalogue/number: Pick P38b
Central Bank of Ceylon specimen two rupee banknote, No. E/83 000000, 8 November 1962 (Item 6)
Issue details
Category: specimen
Denomination: two Indian rupees
Issuer: Central Bank of Ceylon
Printer: BWC
Issue date: 8 November 1962
Serial number: No. E/83 000000
Signature/s: two signatures in Sinhalese
Overprinting: stamped SPECIMEN in red above serial number. Two cancellation holes punched through signatures.
Circulation status: uncirculated
Illustrative content: front: vignette of Bandanaraike on right; back: pavilion on left
Condition: uncirculated
Watermark: Lion of Ceylon with security strip
Physical description: dimensions - 114x59 mm; brown and lilac on blue and green underprint
Industry catalogue/number: Pick P43
Central Bank of Ceylon specimen two rupee banknote, No. E/123 000000, 9 September 1965 (Item 7)
Issue details
Category: specimen
Denomination: two Indian rupees
Issuer: Central Bank of Ceylon
Printer: BWC
Issue date: 9 September 1965
Serial number: No. E/123 000000
Signature/s: two signatures in Sinhalese
Overprinting: stamped SPECIMEN in red above serial number. Two cancellation holes punched through signatures.
Circulation status: uncirculated
Illustrative content: front: vignette of King Parakkrama on right; back: pavilion on left
Condition: uncirculated
Watermark: Lion of Ceylon with security strip
Physical description: dimensions - 114x59 mm; brown and lilac on blue and green underprint
Industry catalogue/number: Pick P48
Central Bank of Ceylon specimen five rupee banknote, No. G/1 000000, 3 June 1952 (Item 8)
Issue details
Category: specimen
Denomination: five Indian rupees
Issuer: Central Bank of Ceylon
Printer: BWC
Issue date: 3 June 1952
Serial number: No. G/1 000000
Signature/s: JR Jayawardena, Minister of Finance/John Exter, Governor Central Bank of Ceylon
Overprinting: stamped SPECIMEN in red above serial number. Two cancellation holes punched through signatures.
Circulation status: uncirculated
Illustrative content: front: vignette of Elizabeth II at left; back: standing figure in centre
Condition: uncirculated
Watermark: Lion of Ceylon with security strip
Physical description: dimensions - 133x72 mm; purple on blue, green and orange underprint
Industry catalogue/number: Pick P33
Central Bank of Ceylon specimen five rupee banknote, No. G/11 000000, 16 October 1954 (Item 9)
Issue details
Category: specimen
Denomination: five Indian rupees
Issuer: Central Bank of Ceylon
Printer: BWC
Issue date: 16 October 1954
Serial number: No. G/11 000000
Signature/s: JR Jayewardena, Minister of Finance/illegible, Governor Central Bank of Ceylon
Overprinting: stamped SPECIMEN in red above serial number. One cancellation hole punched through signatures.
Circulation status: uncirculated
Illustrative content: front: vignette of Elizabeth II at left; back: standing figure in centre
Condition: uncirculated
Watermark: Lion of Ceylon with security strip
Physical description: dimensions - 134x73 mm; orange on blue and green underprint
Industry catalogue/number: Pick P33a
Central Bank of Ceylon specimen five rupee banknote, No. G/40 000000, 18 August 1960 (Item 10)
Issue details
Category: specimen
Denomination: five Indian rupees
Issuer: Central Bank of Ceylon
Printer: BWC
Issue date: 18 August 1960
Serial number: No. G/40 000000
Signature/s: JR Jayewardena, Minister of Finance/illegible, Governor Central Bank of Ceylon
Overprinting: stamped SPECIMEN in red above serial number. Two cancellation holes punched through signatures.
Circulation status: uncirculated
Illustrative content: front: vignette of Sinhalese lion at left; back: standing figure in centre
Condition: uncirculated
Watermark: Lion of Ceylon with security strip
Physical description: dimensions - 134x73 mm; orange on blue and green underprint
Industry catalogue/number: Pick P39b
Central Bank of Ceylon specimen five rupee banknote, No. G/55 000000, 8 November 1962 (Item 11)
Issue details
Category: specimen
Denomination: five Indian rupees
Issuer: Central Bank of Ceylon
Printer: BWC
Issue date: 8 November 1962
Serial number: G/55 000000
Signature/s: JR Jayewardena, Minister of Finance/illegible, Governor Central Bank of Ceylon
Overprinting: stamped SPECIMEN diagonally in red above serial number on both sides. Two cancellation holes punched through signatures.
Circulation status: uncirculated
Illustrative content: fFront: vignette of Bandanaraike on right; back: standing figure in centre
Condition: uncirculated
Watermark: Lion of Ceylon with security strip
Physical description: dimensions - 134x73 mm; orange on brown and green underprint
Industry catalogue/number: Pick P44
Central Bank of Ceylon specimen five rupee banknote, No. G/81 000000, 9 September 1965 (Item 12)
Issue details
Category: specimen
Denomination: five Indian rupees
Issuer: Central Bank of Ceylon
Printer: BWC
Issue date: 9 September 1965
Serial number: G/81 000000
Signature/s: in Sinhalese
Overprinting: stamped SPECIMEN diagonally in red above serial number on both sides. Two cancellation holes punched through signatures.
Circulation status: uncirculated
Illustrative content: front: vignette of King Parakkrama on right; back: lion statue
Condition: uncirculated
Watermark: Lion of Ceylon with security strip
Physical description: dimensions - 125x63 mm; orange on brown and green underprint
Industry catalogue/number: Pick P49
Central Bank of Ceylon specimen ten rupee banknote, No. L/1 000000, 1 July 1963 (Item 13)
Issue details
Category: specimen
Denomination: ten Indian rupees
Issuer: Central Bank of Ceylon
Printer: BWC
Issue date: 1 July 1963
Serial number: L/1 000000
Signature/s: JR Jayawardena, Minister of Finance/John Exter, Governor Central Bank of Ceylon
Overprinting: stamped SPECIMEN in red above serial number on both sides. Two cancellation holes punched through signatures.
Circulation status: uncirculated
Illustrative content: front: vignette of Elizabeth II at left; back: standing statue
Condition: uncirculated
Watermark: Lion of Ceylon
Physical description: dimensions - 147x79 mm; green on pink and green underprint
Industry catalogue/number: Pick P34
Central Bank of Ceylon specimen ten rupee banknote, No. L/1 000000, 20 January 1951 (Item 14)
Issue details
Category: specimen
Denomination: ten Indian rupees
Issuer: Central Bank of Ceylon
Printer: BWC
Issue date: 1 July 1963
Serial number: L/1 000000
Signature/s: JR Jayawardena, Minister of Finance/John Exter, Governor Central Bank of Ceylon
Overprinting: stamped SPECIMEN in red above serial number on both sides. Two cancellation holes punched through signatures.
Circulation status: uncirculated
Illustrative content: front: vignette of Elizabeth II at left; back: standing statue
Condition: uncirculated
Watermark: Lion of Ceylon
Physical description: dimensions - 147x79 mm; green on pink and green underprint
Industry catalogue/number: Pick P34
Central Bank of Ceylon specimen ten rupee banknote, No. L/46 000000, 30 July 1956 (Item 15)
Issue details
Category: specimen
Denomination: ten Indian rupees
Issuer: Central Bank of Ceylon
Printer: BWC
Issue date: 10 January 1951
Serial number: L/1 000000
Signature/s: in Sinhalese
Overprinting: stamped SPECIMEN in red above serial number on both sides. Two cancellation holes punched through signatures.
Circulation status: uncirculated
Illustrative content: front: vignette of George VI at left; back: standing statue in centre
Condition: uncirculated
Watermark: Lion of Ceylon
Physical description: dimensions - 147x79 mm; green on pink and green underprint
Industry catalogue/number: Pick P34
Central Bank of Ceylon specimen ten rupee banknote, No. M/35 000000, 12 June 1964 (Item 16)
Issue details
Category: specimen
Denomination: ten Indian rupees
Issuer: Central Bank of Ceylon
Printer: BWC
Issue date: 12 June 1964
Serial number: M/35 000000
Signature/s: in Sinhalese
Overprinting: stamped SPECIMEN diagonally in red above serial number on both sides. Two cancellation holes punched through signatures.
Circulation status: uncirculated
Illustrative content: front: vignette of Bandanaraike on right; back: standing statue in centre
Condition: uncirculated
Watermark: Lion of Ceylon with security strip
Physical description: dimensions - 139x70 mm; green on purple, orange and blue underprint
Industry catalogue/number: Pick P45
Central Bank of Ceylon specimen ten rupee banknote, No. M/95 000000, 10 January 1968 (Item 17)
Issue details
Category: specimen
Denomination: ten Indian rupees
Issuer: Central Bank of Ceylon
Printer: BWC
Issue date: 10 January 1968
Serial number: M/95 000000
Signature/s: in Sinhalese
Overprinting: stamped SPECIMEN diagonally in red above serial number on both sides. Two cancellation holes punched through signatures.
Circulation status: uncirculated
Illustrative content: front: vignette of King Parakkrama on right; back: standing statue in centre
Condition: uncirculated
Watermark: Lion of Ceylon with security strip
Physical description: dimensions - 140x70 mm; green on purple, orange and blue underprint
Industry catalogue/number: Pick P49