100 rupees 1963
About This Note
This is a VF-grade example of the 1963 Central Bank of Ceylon 100 rupees note (Pick P-66), featuring the portrait of Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike on the front and traditional Sri Lankan women in ornate dress on the reverse. The note displays the characteristic pink-mauve front and green-beige back typical of this issue, with intricate guilloche patterns and ornamental borders throughout. Despite moderate signs of age and circulation including foxing and discoloration, the note retains good clarity in its fine line engraving and security features.
Common. This note was issued in substantial quantities by the Central Bank of Ceylon in 1963 and remained in circulation for many years. The 100 rupees denomination from this period is regularly encountered in the numismatic market. No evidence of a short print run, early recall, or extreme scarcity. Typical market pricing for VF examples suggests standard availability.
Issued in 1963 by the Central Bank of Ceylon during the tenure of Prime Minister Solomon West Ridgeway Dias Bandaranaike, whose portrait appears on the obverse, this note represents an important period in early post-independence Sri Lankan currency. The reverse design featuring women in traditional Sinhala dress reflects the cultural pride and identity of the newly independent nation. The dual-language inscriptions in English and Sinhala script underscore Ceylon's transition to emphasizing its indigenous heritage while maintaining Commonwealth ties.
The obverse features a three-quarter profile portrait of Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike positioned on the right side, depicted wearing eyeglasses and formal collar, rendered in classical intaglio style. The reverse showcases two female figures in traditional Sinhala ceremonial dress with ornate jewelry and elaborate headdresses, positioned centrally. Both sides are dominated by intricate ornamental cartouches, corner medallions, and elaborate geometric-floral guilloche border patterns characteristic of high-security Commonwealth banknote design of the era. The color scheme of pink-mauve on the front and green-beige on the reverse provides strong visual distinction between sides.
FRONT: '100' and 'ONE HUNDRED RUPEES' (denomination in English); 'ශ්රී ලංකා ඩොලර්' (Sri Lanka rupees in Sinhala); Serial numbers '49 883890' and 'V 0094110'. BACK: '100' (repeated in all four corners); 'ONE HUNDRED RUPEES'; 'ශ්රී ලංකා ඩොලර්' (Sri Lanka rupees); 'BRADBURY, WILKINSON & CO LTD, NEW MALDEN, SURREY, ENGLAND' (printer attribution); 'නාතු ශ්රී' (additional Sinhala text).
Intaglio (engraved) printing executed by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co Ltd, a leading British security printer. The note demonstrates sophisticated multi-color intaglio printing with fine line engraving, complex guilloche patterns, and intricate watermark areas visible in the background. The quality of fine line work and depth of impression typical of intaglio are evident throughout both the portraits and decorative elements, representing the premium security printing standards of the early 1960s.
The observed serial number prefix '49' and serial numbers '883890' and 'V 0094110' suggest this is a standard circulation issue. No overprints, security overprints, or significant varieties are apparent from the visual analysis. This appears to be a regular issue note from the first printing series of this design.
