25 cents 1942

Common. This is a standard Government of Ceylon note from the 1942-1949 series with a substantial print run. The Pick 44a designation represents one of the standard denominations of the period with no recorded short production runs, recall issues, or scarcity factors. VF condition specimens are regularly encountered in the numismatic market at modest values typical of mid-20th century British colonial currency.

This note was issued during World War II when Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) remained under British colonial administration. The portrait of King George VI in military uniform reflects the wartime context and British sovereignty, while the denomination in both English and Sinhala script demonstrates the bilingual nature of colonial Ceylon's administration. The Commissioners of Currency designation and the legal tender declaration tied to rupee values show the transitional monetary system of the period, before Ceylon's independence in 1948.

The obverse features a formal portrait of King George VI positioned centrally within an ornate oval medallion frame, depicted in his military dress uniform with medal ribbons visible on the chest, shown in three-quarter view. The note employs extensive ornamental scrollwork and flourishes in all four corners with visible denomination numerals ('25') integrated into the decorative corner designs. The issuing authority seal or emblem of the Commissioners of Currency appears within the design. The denomination is presented bilingually with 'TWENTY' and 'FIVE CENTS' positioned in English on the lower portion, with corresponding Sinhala script text. The reverse is predominantly blank with only the serial number printed. The color scheme consists of purple, mauve, and green inks on a cream/off-white paper base.

FRONT SIDE: 'THE GOVERNMENT OF CEYLON' (top center), 'THIS NOTE IS LEGAL TENDER FOR THE PAYMENT OF AN AMOUNT NOT EXCEEDING FIVE RUPEES' (legal tender clause), 'TWENTY FIVE CENTS' (denomination), '14TH JULY 1942' (issue date), 'COMMISSIONERS OF CURRENCY' (issuing authority), Sinhala script text below the English inscriptions, '25' (numeral denomination in corners). BACK SIDE: 'A 45 853393' (serial number).

Intaglio (engraved) printing, evidenced by the fine line work visible throughout the design, intricate geometric engraving patterns, detailed portraiture with fine line engraving, and the depth created by background line work characteristic of high-security banknote production. This Pick number was produced by De La Rue or similar security printers working for the Government of Ceylon during this period, though specific printer attribution would require additional documentation.

This specimen is identified as Pick 44a (the 'a' variant) from the 1942-1949 series. The specific date of 14 July 1942 (14.07.42 per collector notation) corresponds to the first issue date of this denomination. Serial number A 45 853393 indicates a mid-range printing sequence from the original issue. Known varieties of this Pick number include different signature combinations and serial number prefix variations (A, B, C series documented), though the fundamental design remained consistent across the series.