1 Rupee Banknote (Central Bank Of Ceylon Queen Elizabeth Ii)

1 Rupee Rupee (Issued 1952)

Engraved in the refined intaglio tradition that defined mid-twentieth century Commonwealth currency design, this 1952 one rupee note from the Central Bank of Ceylon carries the restrained elegance characteristic of notes produced under British colonial monetary arrangements. The layout follows a classical portrait-left composition with a strong central denomination panel, a design philosophy consistent with notes issued across the sterling area during this period. Fine guilloché patterning fills the background fields, and the overall palette is rendered in a cool, uniform blue that lends the note a formal, official weight. Compared with contemporary issues from similarly positioned central banks, this note strikes a balance between ceremonial dignity and functional simplicity.

On the front, the dominant feature is a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II positioned within an oval vignette to the left of centre, rendered in precise intaglio engraving with fine cross-hatched shading that gives the image considerable depth and three-dimensionality. The Queen is depicted in a youthful likeness, wearing a tiara or diadem and facing three-quarters to the right, consistent with the earliest official portraits produced following her accession. The background behind the portrait is filled with delicate guilloché lacework in blue, extending across the full width of the note. At the upper centre, “CENTRAL BANK OF CEYLON” is printed in bold serif capitals, beneath which a small explanatory text panel reads that the note is issued on behalf of the Government of Ceylon and is legal tender in Ceylon for the payment of any amount. The serial number A/37 546234 is printed in blue to the right of centre. Below this, a central denomination panel displays “ONE RUPEE” in bold lettering within a bordered cartouche, with a globe or decorative medallion element visible above the denomination text. Beneath the denomination, the date “3RD JUNE 1952” appears clearly within a ruled border. Two facsimile signatures are printed below, attributed to the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Central Bank of Ceylon respectively, with their titles rendered in small serif type. Along the lower edge of the note, text in Sinhala and Tamil scripts identifies the issuing authority and denomination in both official languages of Ceylon. Decorative rosette motifs appear at the lower left and right corners, and the numeral “1” appears in each upper corner within bordered panels. The right-hand portion of the note shows a large watermark area that appears lighter in tone, consistent with a portrait or design watermark incorporated into the paper.

The reverse is printed in the same blue ink and opens with “CENTRAL BANK OF CEYLON” and “ONE RUPEE” in serif capitals across the upper register. The central and right-hand portion of the reverse is dominated by a detailed architectural engraving depicting what appears to be an ancient stone temple or palace staircase, with a standing elephant visible at the base of the steps and sculpted figures flanking the entrance. The stonework of the staircase and the surrounding architectural details are rendered with considerable engraving precision, with fine line shading capturing the texture of cut stone. A decorative vertical border of intricate geometric and floral patterning runs along the right edge, framing the architectural scene. The left portion of the reverse carries a large, softly defined watermark area visible through the paper, showing areas of lighter tone consistent with a portrait watermark of Queen Elizabeth II within the banknote paper itself. Along the lower left, the denomination is repeated in Sinhala script and Tamil script side by side. The printer’s imprint — Bradbury, Wilkinson and Co. Ltd., New Malden, Surrey, England — appears in small text along the lower edge, confirming the note’s production by one of Britain’s most distinguished security printers of the era.

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Other Sri Lankan Rupees you can exchange: 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200.