Æ 2 Stivers = 1/24 Rix dollar.  Diameter 26mm.  6.5mm thick,  Weight 27.8gm. :CEYLON:GOVERMENT around large 24 in inner circle.  R.  Elephant standing left, I80I in exergue. Pridmore 44; KM 64.   Part of edge not struck up, otherwise, Very Fine.*  Rare in this grade.
*US customers please note that this is strict British grading.

In 1505 the Portuguese formed trading settlements on the west and south coasts of Ceylon which were taken from them about the middle of the next century by the Dutch. Following the rupture between Great Britain and Holland in 1795, an expedition was sent against the Dutch possessions in Ceylon and by 1796 the Dutch settlements had been annexed to the Presidency of Madras under the control of the East India Company. The appointment on 19th April, 1798, of a Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the EIC had the effect of raising British Ceylon to the position of an Indian Presidency under the Supreme Government of the Governor General of the East India Company at Calcutta. The first currrency was issued in 1801.

In 1802, British Ceylon passed under the control of the Secretary of State for the
Colonies and finally, on 2nd March, 1815, the cession of the Kandyan Provinces placed
the whole island under British sovereignty. Ceylon achieved Independence on 4th February 1948.

NB  All of the photographs of coins (or books) offered on our website are unretouched images of the actual coin (or book) offered for sale.  We endeavour to grade our coins and describe our books strictly and to high standards to ensure your satisfaction.

Ceylon -  Sri Lanka -  Copper 2 Stivers 1801 -  First British currency issue -