50 Rupees, Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka, 2010–2022 (Pick 124)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
2010-2022
Issuing entity
Sri LankaThis 50 Rupees note was issued in Sri Lanka by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, with dates recorded from 2010–2022. It belongs to the Rupee (1972-date) currency system. Issuing authority and period recorded in the catalogue: Democratic Socialist Republic (1978-date). It measures 133 × 67 mm and is printed on paper. The Standard Catalog of World Paper Money lists the type as Pick 124.
Obverse: The newly constructed bridge in Manampitiya appears on the center of the note. The formerly used bridge, over which both trains and other vehicles ran, appears to the left of the new bridge. Above both, is the faint visualization of a historical railway arch bridge. The bird on the right side of the note is the Sri Lankan Dull Blue Flycatcher (Eumyias sordida). The butterfly on the left is the Blue Oakleaf (Kallima philarchus). Its lettering reads “CENTRAL BANK OF SRI LANKA / FIFTY RUPEES”.
Reverse: When the back of the note is viewed vertically, a Vadiga Patuna Dancer (who belongs to the low country dancing tradition) is dancing to the tune of the Yakbera drummer, playing his Yakbera drum to the left of the dancer. The guard-stone of the Punkalasa, or the “pot of plenty”, which is a symbol of prosperity, is on the top right of the note. A Liya Vela, or “the stylized floral motif” appears on the back. Its lettering reads “CENTRAL BANK OF SRI LANKA / FIFTY RUPEES”.
The note was printed by De La Rue (Thomas de la Rue; Thomas De La Rue & Co.; TDLR), London, United Kingdom (1821-date). Watermark: Dull-blue flycatcher (Eumyias sordidus) and electrotype “50” The note also has cornerstone watermarks, see the comments section. Signatures recorded for the type: Mahinda Rajapaksa (MR₁) (Finance Minister); Ajith Nivard Cabraal (ANC₁) (Governor of the Central Bank); Ravindra Sandresh Karunanayake (RSK) (Finance Minister); Lakshman Arjuna Mahendran (LAM) (Governor of the Central Bank); Indrajit Coomaraswamy (IC) (Governor); Mangala Pinsiri Samaraweera (MPS) (Finance Minister); Mahinda Rajapaksa (MR₂) (Finance Minister); Weligamage Don Lakshman (WDL) (Governor of the Central Bank) and further combinations.
Identification note: match the value, issuing bank, printed date and Pick number together; dates and signature combinations distinguish sub-varieties, which are not separated in this entry. Details follow the Numista catalogue entry and the Standard Catalog reference it cites; they have not been checked against a central-bank archive.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 2
- Photograph views
- 2
- Catalogue references
- 2
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
Under backlight the cornerstone watermarks can be seen. This is a 2021 note: Also under backlight micro-printing can be seen. It has “CBSL RS 50” repeated on it: UV activity at 365nm on a 2021 note:
Physical characteristics
- Size
- 133 × 67 mm
- Shape
- Rectangular
- Material
- Paper
- Watermark
- Dull-blue flycatcher (Eumyias sordidus) and electrotype “50” The note also has cornerstone watermarks, see the comments section
Technical characteristics
- Printer
- De La Rue (Thomas de la Rue; Thomas De La Rue & Co.; TDLR), London, United Kingdom (1821-date)
- Currency
- Rupee (1972-date)
- Signatures
- Mahinda Rajapaksa (MR₁) (Finance Minister) Ajith Nivard Cabraal (ANC₁) (Governor of the Central Bank) Ravindra Sandresh Karunanayake (RSK) (Finance Minister) Lakshman Arjuna Mahendran (LAM) (Governor of the Central Bank) Indrajit Coomaraswamy (IC) (Governor) Mangala Pinsiri Samaraweera (MPS) (Finance Minister) Mahinda Rajapaksa (MR₂) (Finance Minister) Weligamage Don Lakshman (WDL) (Governor of the Central Bank) Basil Rajapaksa (BR) (Finance Minister) Ajith Nivard Cabraal (ANC₂) (Governor) Ranil Wickremesinghe (RW) (Finance Minister) P. Nandalal Weerasinghe (PNW) (Governor)
- Issuing bank
- Central Bank of Sri Lanka
Design
- Obverse
- The newly constructed bridge in Manampitiya appears on the center of the note. The formerly used bridge, over which both trains and other vehicles ran, appears to the left of the new bridge. Above both, is the faint visualization of a historical railway arch bridge. The bird on the right side of the note is the Sri Lankan Dull Blue Flycatcher (Eumyias sordida). The butterfly on the left is the Blue Oakleaf (Kallima philarchus).
- Reverse
- When the back of the note is viewed vertically, a Vadiga Patuna Dancer (who belongs to the low country dancing tradition) is dancing to the tune of the Yakbera drummer, playing his Yakbera drum to the left of the dancer. The guard-stone of the Punkalasa, or the “pot of plenty”, which is a symbol of prosperity, is on the top right of the note. A Liya Vela, or “the stylized floral motif” appears on the back.
- Obverse lettering
- CENTRAL BANK OF SRI LANKA / FIFTY RUPEES
- Reverse lettering
- CENTRAL BANK OF SRI LANKA / FIFTY RUPEES
Identification
- Value
- 50 Rupees
- Dates recorded
- 2010-2022
- Distinguishing features
- Printed date and signature combination separate sub-varieties
- Catalogue number to match
- Pick 124
Documentation checklist
- Denomination
- Research required
- Issue or mint date
- Recorded
- Material
- Recorded
- Weight
- Research required
- Mint or printer
- Recorded
- Mint or printer mark
- Research required
- Catalogue reference
- Recorded
- 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
- Standard Catalog of World Paper Money (Pick)P124
- NumistaN# 205390
Research required
- Confirm date and signature varieties against the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money.