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Ceylonese rixdollar

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Copper 4-stiver coin, 1803

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.

Initially containing over 25 grams fine silver worth 4 shillings and sixpence in the 17th century, the Ceylonese rixdollar was worth just one-third this amount by the 19th century. In 1825 it was replaced by the British pound at a rate of 1 rixdollar = 112 shillings, less than the Indian rupee which was worth about 11112 shillings.

Coins

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Copper one stiver coin, 1815

The Netherlands United East India Company (VOC) issued coins during the 18th century in denominations of 18 and 1 duit, 14, 1, 2 and 4+34 stuiver and 1 rixdollar.

After the British took over Ceylon, dump coins (crudely struck copper pieces) were introduced in 1801 in denominations of 148, 124 and 112 rixdollar. In 1802, milled, copper coins for 1192, 196 and 148 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 12, 1 and 2 stuiver coins were issued, equal in value to the 196, 148 and 124 rixdollar denominations. Silver rixdollar coins were issued in 1821.

Banknotes

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

References

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Notes

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  • Krause, Chester L.; Clifford Mishler (1978). Standard Catalog of World Coins: 1979 Edition. Colin R. Bruce II (senior editor) (5th ed.). Krause Publications. ISBN 0873410203.
  • 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.