Ceylonese rixdollar

The rixdollar was the currency of British 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.

Coins

The Netherlands United East India Company (VOC) issued coins during the 18th century in denominations of  1⁄8 and 1 duit,  1⁄4, 1, 2 and  4 3⁄4 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  1⁄2, 1 and 2 stuiver coins were issued, equal in value to the  1⁄96,  1⁄48 and  1⁄24 rixdollar denominations. Silver rixdollar coins were issued in 1821.

Banknotes

The Government of Ceylon issued notes denominated in rixdollars, including 5 rixdollar notes in 1809 and 2 rixdollars in 1826.

References

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