Ceylonese rixdollar

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 = 11⁄2 shillings, less than the Indian rupee which was worth about 111⁄12 shillings.

Coins

The Netherlands United East India Company (VOC) issued coins during the 18th century in denominations of 1⁄8 and 1 duit, 1⁄4, 1, 2 and 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 1⁄48, 1⁄24 and 1⁄12 rixdollar. In 1802, milled, copper coins for 1⁄192, 1⁄96 and 1⁄48 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 1⁄2, 1 and 2 stuiver coins were issued, equal in value to the 1⁄96, 1⁄48 and 1⁄24 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]}

References

Notes

• v
• t
• e

Historical currencies of Sri Lanka

Kahapana 3 BC to 107 AD Lakshmi Plaques 3 BC to 107 AD Mane less Lion coins 3 BC to 107 AD

Kahavanu 7 to 8 AD

Massa coins 1017–1597 Setu coins 13th century – 1467

Stuiver 1660–1796

Ceylonese rixdollar 1796–1825

Sterling £ stg 1825–1836

Sterling £ stg 1836–1869 British Indian rupee Rs 1836–1869

British Indian rupee Rs 1869–1872

Rupee Rs[LKR] 1872–present

This article about a unit of currency is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

• v
• t
• e

This South Asian history-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

• v
• t
• e

This Sri Lanka–related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

• v
• t
• e