64) Currency/Coinage
of Sri Lanka:
Central Bank of
Sri Lanka (CBSL):
I was pleasantly surprised to receive a call from Jayant,
mentioning that he had collected some currency notes and coins for me when he
had gone for a holiday to Sri Lanka a couple of weeks ago. It was rather nice of him to have remembered
to collect them for me even though he was on a holiday. The broad cross-section
of notes and coins given in the post below are entirely due to his meticulousness
in collecting them for me. Naturally, his contribution inspired me to research
and write this article on Sri Lankan currency/coinage. He also shared that
apart from the various beaches and sight-seeing, he had taken a video of an elephant orphanage where the
baby elephants and their mahouts interact freely with the visitors. The video
was a beautiful sight for animal lovers indeed!
Jayant’s video took us back in time when about seven years
ago, we had visited the Rajajipuram National Park near Dehradun and had made “friends”
with an orphaned elephant named “Yogi” and his little Mahout. I remember the
sad look in Yogi’s eyes when he realized that we were leaving and he seemed to
know that we may never meet again.
Yogi with Sumita.
Sri Lankan
Currency:
The Rupee is the currency of Sri Lanka and each rupee is
subdivided into cents. The Royal Mint, U.K. mints the coins for Sri Lanka.
Historical
evolution of Sri Lankan coinage post-Independence:
Since 1963, a few
years after Independence, Sri Lanka introduced a new coinage under which, coins
were issued in the denominations of 1 and 2 cents (aluminium), 5 and 10 cents
(nickel brass), 25 cents, 50 cents and 1 rupee (cupro-nickel).
In 1978,
aluminium replaced nickel-brass in the 5 and 10 cents denominations.
In 1984,
cupro-nickel 2 rupee and aluminium –bronze 5 rupee coins were introduced for
circulation, although commemorative coins in these denominations were being
issued much earlier since 1968.
On 14th
Dec.2005 a new series of circulating coins Rs.5, 2, 1 and 50 and 25 cents
were issued for circulation. Circulating coins are Brass Plated steel (five and
one rupee coins), Nickel Plated Steel (two rupee coins), Copper plated Steel
(50 and 25 cent coins).
The obverse and reverse designs of these coins are identical
to the existing coins of the same denominations. The year appears as 2005 in
the first issues. The size and colour of the new Rs.5 and Rs.2 coins remain
unchanged, while the weight and alloy have changed. The Re. 1, cts.50 and
cts.25 coins are smaller than the existing ones of similar denominations and
have been minted in different alloys and colours for easy identification.
The specifications of individual denominations are:
The above is the obverse side image of a ten rupee coin issued
in 2011 showing the Armorial ensign of Sri Lanka and a design on the border
periphery. Ten rupee coins were introduced for circulation in 2009 and replaced
the ten rupee paper currency Notes.
The reverse side shows the name of the country Sri Lanka, in
Sinhala, Tamil and English, year of issue “2011”, and the denominational value
of the coin mentioned in numerals “10” and in words, also, in Sinhala, Tamil
and English.
The coin is made in Nickel-plated Steel, Diameter: 26.4mm;
weight: 8.36 gms. , Thickness: 2.1mm. The coin is Hendecagonal (11 sided) in
shape.
The above is the obverse side image of a five rupee coin
issued in 2006 showing the Armorial ensign of Sri Lanka and a design on the
border periphery.
The reverse side shows the name of the country Sri Lanka, in
Sinhala, Tamil and English, year of issue “2006”, and the denominational value
of the coin mentioned in numerals “5” and in words, also, in Sinhala, Tamil and
English. The above coin also has an edge
inscription “CBSL” (Central Bank of Sri Lanka) the issuing Authority mentioned
in the three languages.
Five rupee coins are made of Brass Plated Alloy with the
other specifications being: Diameter: 23.5 Mm, weight: 7.7 gms, Thickness:
2.7mm Edge: incuse edge.
This is a reverse side image of a coin from the 1984 series and is made of bronze. This coin has been issued in 1991 and is from Jayant's collection. The obverse side looks exactly like the earlier coin and shows the Armorial Ensign of Sri Lanka.
The above is a scan of the obverse a two-rupee coin issued
in 2008, (under the new series of 2005) showing the Armorial ensign of Sri
Lanka and a design on the border periphery.
The reverse side shows the name of the country Sri Lanka, in
Sinhala, Tamil and English, year of issue “2008”, and the denominational value
of the coin mentioned in numerals “2” and in words, also, in Sinhala, Tamil and
English.
The coin is made in Nickel Plated alloy and has a diameter of
28.5 mm and wt: 7.0 gms. Its edge is milled.
The two faces of a two-rupee coin issued in 1981
commemorating the Mahaweli Ganga Development Scheme which was started in 1958 with World Bank
credits and has provided employment in construction, land for the landless,
food through agricultural development, electrical power, markets, roads,
schools etc. The coin is made of
cupro-nickel. The other particulars are the same as the above coin.
The two faces of another two rupee coin issued in 1995 commemorating
the golden jubilee (50 years) of existence of the Food and Agricultural Organization.
The coin is made of cupro-nickel. The other particulars are the same as the
above coin.
The reverse side of the above one-rupee coin shows the year of issue “1994”, and the
denominational value of the coin mentioned in numerals “1” and in words, also,
in Sinhala, Tamil and English. The obverse side is the same as the 2 rupee coin
given above. This coin is from the earlier series and is made of cupro-nickel.
It has a diameter of 25.0 mm.
The reverse side of this coin shows the year of issue “2002” and it exhibits
the same features of the preceding coin. This
coin as the one before it is made of cupro-nickel.
Notice that the coin(given below) is much smaller than the one
rupee coins immediately preceding it , having a reduced size of 20 mm only. It is made of Brass plated
steel and weighs 3.65 gms. Its thickness is 1.7 mm.
The reverse side shows the year of issue “2009”, and the
denominational value of the coin mentioned in numerals “1” and in words, also,
in Sinhala, Tamil and English.
Fifty cents coins
are made of Copper plated Steel alloy, and have a diameter of 18 mm. Their wt.
is 2.5 gms and edge is milled.
25 cents: The above is an image of a 25 cent coin issued in 1991 from Jayant's collection, issued in copper-nickel from the 1963 series.
Specifications of the present series issues since December 2005 are:Alloy: Copper Plated steel Diameter: 16.00 mm Wt: 1.68 gms edge: plain.
Specifications of the present series issues since December 2005 are:Alloy: Copper Plated steel Diameter: 16.00 mm Wt: 1.68 gms edge: plain.
The Central Bank
of Sri Lanka (CBSL) :is the currency issuing/monitoring authority of Sri Lanka.
The Bank was established in 1950 and celebrated its 60th
Anniversary (Diamond Jubilee) in 2010.
To commemorate the occasion, it issued a Frosted Proof crown
size multi-coloured silver coin in the denomination of Rs.5000/- , which was
the first time that the Bank had issued a multi-coloured coin:
On the obverse side, the years the Bank has been in existence
“1950-2010” are mentioned together with the Ensign of Sri Lanka (a Lion Rampant
holding a sword). The coin was actually issued in January 2011.
The reverse
image of the coin shows an artistic Banyan tree with overblown leaves which
symbolizes the economy of Sri Lanka with the words “growth and stability” above
and Sri Lanka below in Tamil, Sinhala and English along the periphery of the
coin, (the Banyan tree design is reminiscent of the old Banyan tree logo of the
State Bank of India - Please refer the link to the State Bank of india post given at the bottom of this post).
The face value of the coin “5000” appears in large
numerals below the tree with the denomination mentioned in words in Sinhala,
Tamil and English. The Diamond Jubilee Year was mentioned next to the tree
“2010”.
In addition, CBSL
has issued commemorative coins to mark important events and persons since 1957
and the Rs.5000/- commemorative coin was, also, the 50th
commemorative coin ever issued by the Bank.
Some other
commemorative coins which have been issued by the Central Bank of Sri
Lanka are:
2500th Buddha Jayanthi , 2nd World Food Congress,5th
Non-Aligned Summit Conference , 50 years of Universal Adult Franchise , The
Mahaweli Development Scheme, International Year of Shelter for the Homeless, 5th
South Asian Federation Games – Colombo,
2300 Anubudu Mihindu Jayanthi, 50th Anniversary of Food and
Agricultural Organization, 50th Anniversary of the United Nations
Organization, 50th Anniversary of the UNICEF, 40th
Anniversary of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Cricket World Cup – 1996, 50th
Anniversary of Independence of Sri Lanka, 50th Anniversary of Sri
Lankan Army, 50th Anniversary of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, 50th
Anniversary of Sri Lanka Air Force, 2550th Anniversary of the
passing away of the Buddha.etc.
Most of the commemorative coins are Gold; Gold plated
frosted silver, silver proof coins etc.
Currency Note
Printing Agency:
Currency Notes in Sri Lanka are printed by the “De la Rue
Lanka Currency and securities Print (Pvt.) Ltd., a joint venture of the
Government of Sri Lanka and “De La Rue”, a printing Company in the United
Kingdom.
Historical
background of currency notes in Sri Lanka:
In 1951, the Government of Ceylon (Sri Lanka as it was then
called) after getting Independence, introduced its first paper currency in the
form of 1 and 10 rupee notes (the issues were called the “King George VI “series).
In 1952, currency notes in the denominations of Rs.2/-, Rs.5/-,
Rs.50/- and Rs.100/- were introduced (known as the “Queen Elizabeth II” Series).
In 1953, the
one-rupee notes were replaced by coins.
In 1956, the Re.1/-, Rs.2/- , Rs.5/-, Rs/-10, Rs.50/-,
Rs.100/- currency notes were issued in the “Armorial
Ensign of Ceylon “series.
In 1962, the denominations of notes issued under the
Armorial Ensign of Sri Lanka were changed to the “S.W.R.D. Bandaranayke Portrait” series.
In 1965, the denominations of notes introduced in 1956 and
1962, saw the introduction of the “Vignette
of Parakramabahu, the Great” series.
In 1975, the Rs.50/- and Rs.100/- notes were reprinted under
the “Armorial Ensign of Sri Lanka
Series”.
In 1979, the currency Notes were printed under the “Fauna and Flora” series in the Rs.2/-
to Rs.100/- denominations. Also, Rs.20/- notes were introduced in this year.
In 1981, the “Historical
and Archeological Theme” series was issued.
From 1991 to 2010, the
“Heritage Series” was in place which went through several revisions – in
1995 the series had an enhanced latent image at the centre bottom of the
obverse side. Also, in 1998, Rs.500/- and Rs.1000/- were issued/introduced
.Then again, in 2001 , there was another revision, which added a wider metallic
strip to the 500 and 1000 rupee notes. Later, in 2006, Rs.2000/- were
issued/introduced.
Also, in 1998, a Rs.200/- polymer Note was issued to commemorate the “50th Anniversary of Sri Lanka regaining Independence”.
Then again, in 2009, another Commemorative note (paper
currency) was issued in the Rs.1000/- denomination on “The ushering of peace and prosperity to Sri Lanka”.
Current Series:
On 4th February 2011, the current series has been
introduced with the theme “Development,
Prosperity and Sri Lankan Dancers” for circulation to commemorate Sri
Lanka’s Diamond Jubilee (60th year) of attaining its Independence:
This new series has
done away with the Rs.10/- currency Note (10 rupee coins have already been
introduced in 2009 as mentioned above) and the 10 rupee note has been replaced
by the coins wef April 2010) and
introduced the high value Rs.5000/- currency note for the first time.
A special feature of the Sri Lankan Notes that the reverse
side details are printed vertically and have to be viewed by turning the note
accordingly. Also as a security feature, the white watermark window has an
inset of the bird shown on the right hand side of the various currency notes.
The banknotes are
presently being issued in the denominations of, Rs.20/- , Rs.50/-, Rs.100/-,
Rs.200/-, Rs.500/-,Rs.1000/- and Rs.5000/-. The following images are from Jayant's fabulous collection of Currency Notes from across the World:
20 rupees: (predominant
colour: maroon) The front of the note has an artist’s impression of the Port of
Colombo in the centre. To the right side of the note is a bird “Sri Lanka
Serendib Scops Owl” (Otus thilohoffmanni) and a butterfly, the “Baronet”
(Symphaedra nais) is seen on the bottom left hand corner.
On the back, when viewed vertically, are a “Ves Netuma” dancer
and a “Geta Bera” drummer. A “Punkalasa” guard stone (Pot of Plenty) is on the
top right hand side. A stylized floral motif “Liya vela” appears along the
right hand side of the Note.
50 rupees: (predominant
colour: blue). The front of the Note (image of a Note given above) has an artist’s impression of the newly
constructed bridge at Manampitiya, alongside the old bridge common to both
vehicles and trains. An ancient Railway arch bridge appears in the background.
To the right of the note is a bird, the “Sri Lanka Dull Blue Flycatcher
(Eumyias sordida) and on the bottom left is a butterfly “The Blue Oakleaf”
(Kallima philarchus).
Notice that the “Central
Bank of Sri Lanka” is mentioned on the top in Sinhala, Tamil and English and
the Armorial Ensign of Sri Lanka also features on the right hand side of this
and every other note.
On the back of the above note, when viewed vertically, a “Vadiga
Patuna” dancer who represents the Low Country-dance form and a “Yakbera”
drummer appear at the centre. To the top right of the note is depicted a
“Punkalasa” guard stone (Pot of Plenty) and a stylized floral motif “Liya vela”
appears along the right hand side of the Note.
100 rupees: (predominant
colour: orange) On the front of the note (image given above) is an artist’s impression of the “Norochcholai
Coal Power Plant Project” and the “Laxapana Waterfall”, with power cables
surrounding it in the background. The bird on the right side of the Note is the
“Sri Lanka Orange Billed Babbler” (Turdoides rufescens); while a butterfly “the
autumn leaf” (Doleschallia bisaltidae) appears on the lower left side.
On the back of the Note, when viewed vertically, are a
“Bharatnatyam dancer” and a “Mridangam” drummer in the centre. A “Naga” guard
stone is depicted on the top right hand side and a double floral pattern called
“Dvithva Liya vela” is placed on the right side of the Note.
500 rupees: (predominant
colour: purple) The front of the Note is
an artist’s impression of the World Trade Centre and Bank of Ceylon
Headquarters in Colombo and the ancient
Buddhist temple “Lankathilaka Viharaya” at Kandy in the background. The bird on
the right hand side of the Note is the “Sri Lanka Emerald Collared Parakeet”
(Layard’s Parakeet – Pssittacula calthropae) while on the lower left side is
seen a butterfly “The Ceylon Indigo Royal” “Tajuria arida”.
On the back of the Note, when held vertically, a “Thelme
Netuma “ dancer and a “Yak Bera” drummer are seen. On the top right of the Note
is a “Padmanidhi” guard – stone and a “Dvithva liya vela” along the right side
of the Note.
1000 rupees: (predominant
colour: green) The front of the Note has an artist’s impression of the newly
constructed Ramboda Tunnel with the Rock Wall at the same location before
construction, in the background. “The Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot” (Loriculus
beryllinus) is shown on the right side of the Note and a butterfly the “White
Four Ring” (Ypthima ceylonica).
On the back of the Note, when viewed vertically, are a
“Malpadaya Netuma” dancer and a “Davul Bera” drummer. On the top right side is
a guard stone with several guardian deities and a “Dvithva liya vela” along the
right side of the Note.
5000 rupees: (predominant
colour: gold) On the front is an artist’s impression of the “Weheragala Dam”
and the “Canyon Dam” in the background. A bird, the “Sri Lanka Yellow Eared
Bulbul” (Pycnonotus penicillatus) is seen on the right side, while a butterfly
“Lemon Migrant” (Catopsilia Pomona) is seen on the left hand bottom.
The back of the Note, when viewed vertically, shows a
“Nagaraksha” dancer and a “Guruluraksha” dancer. A “Rathnaprasadaya” guard
stone is seen on the top right side of the note, with the Kalpavrksha floral
design appearing along the right side of the note.
The Heritage series:
This series preceded the current series and
notes issued under this series were last printed in 2010. Nevertheless, theese Notes are still in circulation in Sri Lanka. The
following images are also scanned from Jayant’s currency collection:
10
rupees: Predominant Colour: deep brown and green on
multicolour underprint. On the front, on the right hand side is a Sinhalese
Chinze.
“Central Bank of Sri Lanka” the CBSL
Governor’s promise to pay and the denomination of the Note are all mentioned in
Sinhala, and Tamil, besides English. Notice that the Sri Lankan Armorial Ensign
which appeared on the later series Notes given above is conspicuous for its
absence in the Heritage series.
This currency note carries the CBSL Governor's "Promise to pay" dated 03.07.2006.
On the back, when viewed vertically is the
Presidential Secretariat building in Colombo, with flowers on the lower
foreground. The Chinze appears in the white watermark window as a security
feature. On the upper right and side is a picture of a Painted stork (Mycteria
Leucocephala).
20 Rupees: On the front is the image of a
native bird mask and on the back fishermen are there, when the Note is viewed
vertically.
50 Rupee Note: A man wearing a hat of
ceremony is depicted on the front and a decorated sword is highlighted on the
back.
100
Rupees: Predominant colour: Orange and dark Brown
on multicolour underprint. On the front, at the right hand side is a decorated earthenware
jar/ urn.The Note is carrying the CBSL Governor's "Promise" dated 19.11.2005:
On the back , when viewed vertically can be
seen tea-leaf pickers in a tea garden, with two Rose-ringed parakeets (Psittacula
Krameri) sitting on a shrub in the foreground.
200
Rupees: Predominant colour: Greenish black on blue,
orange and multicolour underprint. On the front is a temple at the upper
centre-right above a collage of modern scenes across lower left to right.
On the back, when viewed vertically, is a palace at the upper centre-right above a
collage of medieval scenes of British landing in Sri Lanka.
500
Rupees: Predominant
colour: Dark Brown, purple and brown orange on multicolour underprint. The
front side of the Note shows the image of a dancer and 2 musicians (drummers).This Note is carrying the CBSL Governor's promise dated 19.11.2005:
On the back, when viewed vertically, are a
stork-billed kingfisher bird (Halcyon capensis) above a temple and orchids (flowers)
in the foreground.
1000
Rupees: Predominant Colour: Brown, dark green and
purple on multicolour underprint. On the front, there is a Sinhalese Chinze at
the lower left, a two headed bird at the bottom centre, a decorated elephant with its “Mahout” (Trainer) on the
right hand side.
On the back , when viewed vertically, is a picture of peacocks on the Palace lawns.
There is also the Octagon temple of the Tooth in Kandy with Lotus flowers
above.
2000
Rupees: Predominant colour: Green on orange and
yellow on multicolour underprint. The fortress of Sigiriya on an ancient cliff
is shown on the front side. This Note is also carrying the Governor's promise dated 02.11.2005:
On the back, when viewed vertically, is a
woman with flowers is depicted on the back.
REFERENCE LINKS:
State Bank of India post link:
The vertical dance themed banknotes are extremely appealing.. makes me want to collect them in future..
ReplyDeleteIndeed these Banknotes are full of Artistry, Avifauna , flowers, butterflies, cultural aspects and & dance and music forms associated with Sri Lanka. They are worth collecting.
DeleteI would like to buy or exchange srilanka 20rs currency notes in bundle.Please contact me on whatsapp +919961844716
ReplyDelete