Ceylonese rixdollar
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The rixdollar was the currency of Ceylon until 1828. It was subdivided into 48 stivers, each of 4 duit. Units called the fanam and larin were also used, worth 4 and 9½ stiver, respectively. The currency derived from the Dutch rijksdaalder and stuiver, although the rijksdaalder was worth 50 stuiver. The rixdollar was replaced by the British pound at a rate of 1 rixdollar = 1 shilling 6 pence.
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[edit] Coins
The Netherlands United East India Company (VOC) issued coins during the 18th century in denominations of ⅛ and 1 duit, ¼, 1, 2 and 4¾ stuiver and 1 rixdollar.
After the British took over Ceylon, dump coins (crudely struck copper pieces) were introduced in 1801 in denominations of 1⁄48, 1⁄24 and 1⁄12 rixdollar. In 1802, milled, copper coins for 1⁄192, 1⁄96 and 1⁄48 rixdollar were added, although the dump coins continued to be produced until 1816. Silver coins were introduced in 1803 for 24, 48 and 96 stivers.
In 1815, copper ½, 1 and 2 stiver coins were issued, equal in value to the 1⁄96, 1⁄48 and 1⁄12 rixdollar denominations. Silver rixdollar coins were issued in 1821.
[edit] Banknotes
The Government of Ceylon issued notes denominated in rixdollars, including 5 rixdollar notes in 1809 and 2 rixdollars in 1826.
[edit] References
- Krause, Chester L. and Clifford Mishler (1978). Standard Catalog of World Coins: 1979 Edition, Colin R. Bruce II (senior editor), 5th ed., Krause Publications. ISBN 0-87341-020-3.
- Pick, Albert (1994). Standard Catalog of World Paper Money: General Issues, Colin R. Bruce II and Neil Shafer (editors), 7th ed., Krause Publications. ISBN 0-87341-207-9.
[edit] External links
- Don's World Coin Gallery - Sri Lanka
- Tables of Modern Monetary Systems by Kurt Schuler - Asia Mirror site
- The Global History of Currencies - Sri Lanka
- Global Financial Data currency histories table (
Microsoft Excel format)
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