64) Currency/Coinage of Sri Lanka :Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL):

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 14^th 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.

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 60^th 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 50^th commemorative coin ever issued by the Bank.

 

Some other commemorative coins which have been issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka are:

2500^th Buddha Jayanthi  , 2^nd World Food Congress,5^th Non-Aligned Summit Conference , 50 years of Universal Adult Franchise , The Mahaweli Development Scheme, International Year of Shelter for the Homeless, 5^th South Asian Federation Games – Colombo,  2300 Anubudu Mihindu Jayanthi, 50^th Anniversary of Food and Agricultural Organization, 50^th Anniversary of the United Nations Organization, 50^th Anniversary of the UNICEF, 40^th Anniversary of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Cricket World Cup – 1996, 50^th Anniversary of Independence of Sri Lanka, 50^th Anniversary of Sri Lankan Army, 50^th Anniversary of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, 50^th Anniversary of Sri Lanka Air Force, 2550^th 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 “50^th 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 4^th 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 (60^th 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:

http://exclusivecoins.blogspot.in/2011/06/23celebrating-two-hundred-years-of.html