Ceylonese rixdollar
{{Short description|Erstwhile currency of British Ceylon}}
File:Nds. Landesmuseum (21).JPG
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 sterling coin at a rate of 1 rixdollar = 1{{frac|2}} shillings, less than the Indian rupee which was worth about 1{{frac|11|12}} shillings.
Coins
File:British Ceylon, one stiver 1815. George III.jpg
The Netherlands United East India Company (VOC) issued coins during the 18th century in denominations of {{frac|8}} and 1 duit, {{frac|4}}, 1, 2 and {{frac|4|3|4}} stuiver and 1 rixdollar.
After the British took over Ceylon, dump coins (crudely struck copper pieces) were introduced in 1801 in denominations of {{frac|48}}, {{frac|24}} and {{frac|12}} rixdollar. In 1802, milled, copper coins for {{frac|192}}, {{frac|96}} and {{frac|48}} 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 {{frac|2}}, 1 and 2 stuiver coins were issued, equal in value to the {{frac|96}}, {{frac|48}} and {{frac|24}} rixdollar denominations. Silver rixdollar coins were issued in 1821.
Banknotes
The Government of Ceylon issued notes denominated in rixdollars, including 5 rixdollar notes in 1809 and 2 rixdollars in 1826.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}
References
{{reflist}}
Notes
{{Portal|Money|Numismatics|Sri Lanka}}
{{refbegin}}
- {{numis cite SCWC | date=1979}}
- {{numis cite SCWPM | date=1994}}
{{refend}}
{{Historical currencies of Sri Lanka}}
{{European presence in Ceylon}}
{{dollar}}
Category:Currencies of Sri Lanka
Category:Modern obsolete currencies
Category:1828 disestablishments
{{Money-unit-stub}}
{{SAsia-hist-stub}}
{{SriLanka-stub}}