100 rupees 1954

Common. The Central Bank of Ceylon's 100 rupees denomination from the 1954 series was produced in substantial quantities to meet the currency needs of the newly independent nation. No evidence of restricted print runs, recalls, or short-lived issuance exists for this Pick number. The condition grade of VF is typical for notes from this era that saw moderate circulation. Notes of this type and date remain readily available in the market at modest valuations, typically in the $15-40 range depending on condition and serial number significance.

Issued just two years after Ceylon gained independence from British rule in 1952, this 1954 note marks the Central Bank of Ceylon's early currency operations under the new nation. The inclusion of Sinhala and Tamil inscriptions alongside English reflects the newly independent nation's commitment to linguistic pluralism, while the traditional iconographic figures depicted on the reverse suggest cultural pride in Ceylon's heritage. The printing by Waterlow & Sons Limited in London indicates the continued reliance on British security printers during this transitional period of nation-building.

The obverse (front) features a right-facing portrait of a woman rendered in classical engraved style within a circular dotted frame, positioned in the left-center area and likely representing a symbolic figure of Ceylon rather than a specific historical person. The reverse depicts two figures in traditional Ceylon dress—a male figure with ornamental headdress on the left and a female figure with traditional headdress and decorative necklace on the right—representing the cultural and artistic heritage of the island nation. Both sides feature elaborate Art Deco-influenced ornamental cartouches with intricate geometric and floral patterns, corner rosettes containing the denomination, and fine-line security engraving throughout. The color scheme of brown/sepia, purple/mauve, and cream tones reflects the classic aesthetic of mid-20th century Commonwealth currency.

FRONT SIDE: 'CENTRAL BANK OF CEYLON' (English) | 'ONE HUNDRED RUPEES' (English) | '16TH OCTOBER 1954' (English - specific issue date) | 'This note is issued on behalf of the Government of Ceylon and is legal tender in Ceylon for the payment of any amount' (English - legal tender declaration) | 'MINISTER OF FINANCE' and 'GOVERNOR CENTRAL BANK OF CEYLON' (English - authority signatures) | Serial number 'V 22 24135' | Denomination '100' in all corners. BACK SIDE: 'CENTRAL BANK OF CEYLON' (English) | 'ONE HUNDRED RUPEES' (English) | 'ශ්‍රී ලංකා' (Sinhala - 'Sri Lanka') | 'நூறு ரூபாய்' (Tamil - 'One hundred rupees') | 'PRINTED BY WATERLOW & SONS LIMITED, LONDON, ENGLAND' (English - printer attribution) | Denomination '100' in all corners.

Intaglio engraving (line engraving) as the primary printing method, evidenced by the fine detail work, crisp line clarity despite age, and the characteristic raised impression visible in circulated notes. Security features include intricate geometric borders, dotted portrait frames, and fine-line engraved patterns throughout. The note was printed by Waterlow & Sons Limited, London, England—one of the world's premier security printers of that era. The visual analysis notes discrepancy with catalog reference (which lists Bradbury Wilkinson) but the actual printed attribution on the reverse clearly states Waterlow & Sons.

This specific example bears the serial number prefix 'V 22' with serial number 24135, and is dated 16 October 1954. The Central Bank of Ceylon's 1954 issue is known to exist with various signature combinations representing different MINISTER OF FINANCE and GOVERNOR appointments during the early years of independence. The note exhibits no visible overprints or emergency markings. Collectors may encounter variations based on signature combinations and serial number prefixes (A, B, C, V series noted in some references), though documentation of these varieties is limited in standard catalogs.