Information about currency: Ceylonese Rupee

Ceylonese Rupee (1870 - 1972)
Currency NameCeylonese Rupee
System1 Rupee = 100 Cents
Description

The Indian rupee was made Ceylon's standard coin on 26 September 1836, and Ceylon reverted to the Indian currency area. Pound-denominated treasury notes continued to circulate after 1836, along with the rupee. The legal currency remained British silver and accounts were kept in pounds, shillings and pence. However, payments were made in rupees and annas at the "fictitious par" (fixed accounting rate) of 2 shillings per rupee (i.e., 1 pound = 10 rupees).

The Bank of Ceylon was the first private bank to issue banknotes on the island (1844) and Treasury notes were withdrawn in 1856.

The Indian rupee was formally established as the unlimited legal tender 18 June 1869. The rupee was decimalized 23 August 1871. Thus, the rupee of 100 cents became Ceylon's money of account and sole legal tender effective 1 January 1872, replacing British currency at a rate of 1 rupee = 2 shillings 3 pence.

Coin Types in currency: Ceylonese Rupee (1)
Coin TypeTypeFromToSub-typesCoins
Unsorted Other 9
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Royal Mint
Royal Mint
Ceylonese Rupee: Details
Issued ByCeylon, British
From1870
To1972
Ceylonese Rupee: Users
CountryPeriodFromTo
Flag of Ceylon, British Ceylon, British Ceylonese Rupee 1870 1972