British Ceylon cent coinage
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1870-1948
Issuing entity
British CeylonBritish Ceylon cent coinage comprises the decimal fractional currency issued between 1870 and 1948 under British colonial administration. Introduced following the decimalisation of the rupee, the series debuted in 1872 with copper 1/4-cent, 1/2-cent, 1-cent, and 5-cent pieces dated 1870. Silver denominations of 10, 25, and 50 cents were later added to the system in 1892.
Across its production span, the coinage underwent significant compositional and physical modifications. In 1909, the large copper 5-cent piece was replaced by a square cupro-nickel coin with rounded corners. Between 1940 and 1944, wartime adjustments altered the series further: bronze replaced earlier copper for the 1-cent coin, silver was substituted with nickel-brass in the higher denominations, and scalloped nickel-brass 2-cent and 10-cent coins were introduced.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 2
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Following periods of using sterling and Indian currency, Ceylon formally decimalised the rupee on 23 August 1871. Effective 1 January 1872, the rupee of 100 cents became Ceylon's sole legal tender and money of account, replacing sterling at a rate of one rupee to two shillings and three pence. This established a decimal cent structure distinct from many other British territories that retained sterling divisions. Silver fineness for the higher cent denominations was reduced from.800 to.550 in 1919, followed by extensive base-metal substitutions between 1940 and 1944.
Design
- Obverse
- Reigning British monarch
- Reverse
- Denomination with a palm tree motif on several types
Identification
- Attribution
- Reverse legend names Ceylon
- Recognition pointers (from background sources)
- Look for the portrait of the reigning British monarch on the obverse. Examine the reverse legend, which explicitly names Ceylon and frequently pairs the denomination with a palm tree motif. Observe non-circular shapes on later base-metal issues, including the square 5-cent piece with rounded corners and the scalloped 2-cent and 10-cent coins.
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Research required
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Research required
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Research required
- Attached photograph (check rights)
- Recorded
Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Denomination range and metal changes to be transcribed from a verified catalogue
- Year and mintage list to be confirmed
- Catalogue numbers require transcription