2 rupees 1962
About This Note
This is an exceptional example of the 1962 Central Bank of Ceylon 2 Rupees note (Pick P-57c), presented in uncirculated condition with crisp printing and brilliant color preservation. The note displays the characteristic pink-mauve palette of this issue, featuring a heraldic lion medallion on the obverse and a finely engraved depiction of the Medirigiriya Vatadage temple ruins on the reverse. As an early post-independence Ceylon banknote, this specimen represents an important piece of Sri Lankan numismatic history in pristine condition.
Common. The 2 Rupees note of 1962 (Pick P-57c) was issued in substantial quantities by the Central Bank of Ceylon during a standard circulation period (1956-1962 issue series). While it is no longer in circulation, these notes remain readily available in the collector market in various conditions. The uncirculated grade adds to individual collector appeal but does not indicate rarity for the type itself. These notes typically trade in the modest price range consistent with common post-war Commonwealth banknotes.
Issued in 1962 by the Central Bank of Ceylon, this note reflects the young nation's monetary sovereignty just over a decade after independence from British rule in 1948. The heraldic lion on the obverse represents the national coat of arms of Ceylon, while the reverse depicts the Medirigiriya Vatadage (circular relic shrine) from the ancient Buddhist archaeological site of Polonnaruwa, emphasizing the nation's cultural heritage and historical continuity. The trilingual inscriptions in Sinhala, Tamil, and English acknowledge Ceylon's linguistic diversity during this period.
The obverse features a prominent circular medallion on the left containing the heraldic lion of the Ceylon coat of arms, rendered in fine detail and framed within an ornate circular border. The design is surrounded by elaborate scrollwork and decorative flourishes in the left and right margins, with the bank name in Sinhala script positioned at the top center and a decorative cartouche containing the issue date in the center-right area. The reverse displays a carefully engraved landscape scene depicting the Medirigiariya Vatadage, an ancient circular Buddhist shrine with multiple columns, set within a natural landscape setting. Denomination numerals appear in the corners, and the full trilingual inscription of the denomination is centered at the bottom, with the printer's mark below. Both sides employ fine-line engraving techniques with ornamental border frames.
FRONT SIDE: 'ශ්රී ලංකා මහ බැංකුව' (Central Bank of Sri Lanka in Sinhala); Serial number 'E 81 873610'; Date '1962-1-29' (January 29, 1962). BACK SIDE: 'ශ්රී ලංකා මහ බැංකුව' (Central Bank of Sri Lanka in Sinhala); 'ඉරට්ටේ රුපියල්' (Two Rupees in Sinhala); 'இராண்டு ரூபாய்' (Two Rupees in Tamil); 'TWO RUPEES' (English); 'BRADBURY, WILKINSON & CO LTD NEW MALDEN, SURREY, ENGLAND' (Printer attribution).
Intaglio engraving (line engraving) throughout, characteristic of high-security banknote production. The note was printed by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co Ltd of New Malden, Surrey, England, one of the world's premier banknote security printers. The intricate scrollwork borders, detailed heraldic lion, and finely rendered architectural details of the Vatadage are all consistent with steel plate engraving. The crisp impression and sharp line definition visible in the uncirculated specimen indicate premium printing quality.
The observed specimen exhibits the serial number prefix 'E 81' and bears the specific issue date of January 29, 1962. The Pick P-57c designation indicates this is from the later printing period of this design series (1956-1962). No overprints or special varieties are evident on this example. The serial number format and printing characteristics are consistent with standard Central Bank of Ceylon production of this denomination.
