5 rupees 1938
About This Note
This is a Government of Ceylon 5 Rupees note from 1938, printed by Waterlow & Co Ltd London, representing an important early example of Ceylon's currency during the pre-independence period. The note exhibits significant aging consistent with its 85+ year history, featuring extensive foxing, yellowing, and creasing throughout both sides, placing it solidly in Good (G) condition. The ornate design with tropical palm tree vignette on the reverse and classical decorative borders exemplifies the fine engraving standards of the era, though the circulation wear and staining detract from its aesthetic appeal.
Common. The Government of Ceylon's 1929-1939 series, including the 5 Rupees Pick 23b, was issued in substantial quantities during a decade-long circulation period. No historical evidence indicates restricted print runs, recalls, or scarcity. Notes from this series routinely appear in the numismatic market at modest valuations consistent with circulated colonial-era currency. The Good condition grade is typical for surviving examples, and this denomination was neither a low print run nor a short-issue note.
Issued on 10th November 1938, this note represents Ceylon's currency during the final decade of British colonial rule, before the island's independence in 1948. The Government of Ceylon's Commissioners of Currency, in collaboration with the renowned London printer Waterlow & Co, issued this denomination as part of the 1929-1939 series. The tropical palm tree imagery on the reverse reflects Ceylon's colonial-era economic identity as a major producer of coconut, rubber, and tea exports.
The front features a classical British colonial banknote design with symmetrical ornate cartouches and geometric border patterns rendered in green and tan tones. The central promise-to-pay clause is flanked by circular numeral emblems displaying '5' and 'RUPEES'. The reverse showcases an elaborate engraved vignette depicting a tropical landscape dominated by a prominent central palm tree, characteristic of Ceylon's natural environment and colonial export economy, framed within an intricately detailed rectangular border featuring scrollwork and floral motifs in the classical revival style typical of Waterlow & Co's work. The serial number prefix 'E1' indicates this specific printing sequence from the 1938 issue.
FRONT: 'THE GOVERNMENT OF CEYLON' (header); 'Promises to pay the Bearer on Demand the sum of FIVE RUPEES' (promise clause); 'Colombo, 10th November 1938' (issue date); 'FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF CEYLON' (authorization line); 'COMMISSIONERS OF CURRENCY' (issuing authority); 'WATERLOW & CO LTD LONDON' (printer identification); '5 RUPEES 5' (denomination markers); Serial number 'E1 58632' (printed in red). BACK: No visible inscriptions; design consists entirely of ornamental vignette with tropical landscape.
Engraved intaglio printing, the hallmark of Waterlow & Co Ltd, one of the world's premier security printers. The fine line work visible in the ornate borders, the detailed palm tree vignette, and the crisp rendering of text all demonstrate classical engraving techniques. Security features include intricate geometric patterns, multiple ornamental cartouches, and red-printed serial numbers, all characteristic of interwar-period Commonwealth currency production standards.
This example represents the standard 1938 dated variety of Pick 23b, issued on 10th November 1938, with serial number prefix 'E1'. The printer attribution to Waterlow & Co (as confirmed by the printer's mark on the front) is consistent with the cataloged Pick 23b specification. The date notation 'Colombo, 10th November 1938' represents the specific printing date for this batch. No obvious overprints, security overprints, or other emergency variants are visible on this specimen.
