1 rupee 1925

Common. The 1925 Government of Ceylon one rupee (Pick P-16b) was issued in substantial quantities as a standard denomination circulating note during this period. No evidence suggests limited print runs, recall, or short-lived issuance. VG condition examples remain readily available in the numismatic market, consistent with typical survival rates for regularly circulated banknotes from this era that saw decades of use before being superseded by later currency series.

Issued by the Government of Ceylon during the final years before the establishment of an independent central bank, this 1925 rupee represents Ceylon's monetary system under British administration. The note's prominent display of 'THE GOVERNMENT OF CEYLON' and 'COMMISSIONERS OF CURRENCY' reflects the colonial administrative structure, while the bilingual English-Sinhala inscriptions demonstrate the dual-language policy of the period. The De La Rue printing house signature confirms this was produced by London's premier security printer, consistent with British colonial currency practices of the era.

The front of this note features a classical colonial-era design centered on a promise-to-pay declaration typical of early 20th-century currency. The left side displays an elaborate ornamental frame containing the numeral '1' surrounded by intricate floral and geometric patterns in art deco style. The denomination 'ONE RUPEE' appears prominently in the center, flanked by ornamental cartouches. A handwritten signature of a Commissioners of Currency official is positioned in the center authorization area. The back presents a more decorative composition, with a large symmetrical mandala-like ornamental design radiating from the center within a scalloped rectangular frame, with the word 'ONE' on the left and 'RUPEE' on the right repeated at top and bottom. The entire design employs fine-line engraving with cross-hatching throughout, creating depth and anti-counterfeiting security through complexity.

FRONT SIDE: 'THE GOVERNMENT OF CEYLON / Promises to pay the Bearer on Demand the Sum of / ONE RUPEE / RUPEE / Colombo, 1st October 1925 / FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF CEYLON / COMMISSIONERS OF CURRENCY / D 58 35989 (left serial) / D 59 35989 (right serial) / THOS. DE LA RUE & Co LTD LONDON / ඉතෙක / රුපියල (Sinhala: 'One / Rupee')' BACK SIDE: 'ONE / RUPEE' (repeated at cardinal positions around central ornamental design)

Intaglio engraving (line engraving), executed by Thomas De La Rue & Company Limited, London. The visual analysis confirms the presence of fine line work, cross-hatching, and intricate decorative patterns characteristic of high-quality intaglio printing. The complexity of the ornamental designs and the sharpness of the fine lines visible despite the note's age and circulation indicate the use of steel plate engraving, the standard security printing method for British colonial currency of this period.

This specific example bears the date 'Colombo, 1st October 1925' as recorded in the collector notes (1.10.25). Serial number designations appear as 'D 58 35989' and 'D 59 35989', indicating standard serial numbering consistent with other known examples of this Pick number. The handwritten signature visible in the center authorization block represents an individual Commissioners of Currency official's authorization, which may vary between notes. No known major varieties (such as overprints, color variants, or signature combinations) have been specifically identified for P-16b in available references, though minor signature variations among individual officials are expected.