100 rupees 1977
Market Prices
24 salesAbout This Note
This is an uncirculated 1977 Central Bank of Ceylon 100 rupees note (Pick P-82) featuring striking purple, brown, and multicolor design elements characteristic of the late 1970s Ceylon currency. The front displays the Sri Lanka national arms within an ornate circular emblem, while the reverse depicts an elaborate temple or palace architectural scene with carved pillars and classical sculptural elements. In UNC condition, this note exhibits pristine preservation with sharp detail, clear impressions, and no visible wear—making it an excellent example of this issue.
Common. This is a regular issue from the Central Bank of Ceylon with no known print run restrictions or recall history. eBay market data from 2013-2023 shows consistent sales in the $5-$35 range for VF and lower grades, with UNC examples trading in the $20-$129 range depending on exact condition and grading service (PMG grades command premiums). The 2019 catalog value of $95 for UNC represents fair market value, but the volume of sales data indicates this is a regularly available note in the secondary market rather than scarce or rare.
Issued on August 29, 1977, this note represents the Central Bank of Ceylon during a transitional period in Sri Lankan monetary policy and national identity. The imagery reflects Ceylon's rich architectural and cultural heritage, with the reverse's ornate temple architecture and the obverse's heraldic lion emblem emphasizing the nation's classical Buddhist and royal traditions. The trilingual inscriptions (English, Sinhala, and Tamil) underscore Ceylon's multicultural character during this post-independence era.
The obverse features the national coat of arms of Sri Lanka—specifically a lion rampant within an ornate circular heraldic frame—positioned at the center-right of the note, surrounded by intricate geometric and floral border patterns executed in purple, pink, brown, and gold tones. A water lily flower motif appears in the lower left, serving as part of the watermark design area. The reverse depicts a classical Ceylonese architectural scene, likely representing a significant temple entrance or palace, with elaborate carved stone pillars, decorative pedestals, sculptural figures in classical poses, and ornamental archways characteristic of traditional Sri Lankan Buddhist or palatial architecture. Both sides are framed by ornamental geometric and floral border designs in red, pink, gray, and cream tones.
Front Side: '100' (denomination in numerals); 'ONE HUNDRED RUPEES' (English denomination); 'CENTRAL BANK OF CEYLON' (issuing authority in English); 'ශ්රී ලංකා මධ්යම බැංකුව' (Central Bank of Sri Lanka in Sinhala); 'இலங்கை மத்திய வங்கி' (Central Bank of Sri Lanka in Tamil); '1977-08-29' (issue date); 'W 154 55657' (serial number). Back Side: '100' (denomination); 'ONE HUNDRED RUPEES' (English denomination); 'ශ්රී ලංකා' (Sri Lanka in Sinhala); 'CENTRAL BANK OF CEYLON' (issuing authority); 'BRADBURY WILKINSON & CO LTD NEW MALDEN SURREY ENGLAND' (printer attribution).
Intaglio engraving by Bradbury Wilkinson & Co Ltd, New Malden, Surrey, England—a renowned British security printer. The note exhibits fine line work, detailed cross-hatch and mesh security patterns in the background, intricate engraved borders, and complex architectural rendering characteristic of professional security printing. The multicolor design suggests simultaneous multicolor intaglio printing with careful registration.
This note is identified as the standard 1977 issue of Pick P-82, issued August 29, 1977. The serial number prefix 'W 154' appears consistent with standard Central Bank of Ceylon production. No major varieties (such as signature variants, date overprints, or significant serial number anomalies) are noted from the visual analysis. This represents the primary variety of the 100 rupees 1977 denomination.
