Guide to the Central Bank of Ceylon specimen banknotes

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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Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions.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 Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.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


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