50 cents 1942
About This Note
This is a Government of Ceylon 50 Cents note dated 14th July 1942, representing an early wartime issue from British Ceylon. The note features a portrait of King George VI in an ornate circular frame on the left side, rendered in purple/mauve tones with careful cross-hatching and line work typical of period security printing. In Fair condition, the note displays significant age-related wear including creasing, folds, and yellowing throughout, consistent with active circulation during and after World War II.
Common. The 50 Cents denomination from the 1942-1949 series (Pick 45a) was issued in substantial quantities as a practical circulating denomination for Ceylon's wartime economy. No specific print run restrictions, recall notices, or limited production characteristics are documented for this variety. The Fair condition grade observed is typical for notes of this era that saw extended circulation.
Issued during World War II when Ceylon remained under British Crown administration, this note represents the Government of Ceylon's currency authority established under the Commissioners of Currency. The prominence of King George VI's portrait underscores Ceylon's status as a British Dominion during this period, while the bilingual design (English and Tamil script) reflects the island's multicultural composition and administrative practices of colonial Ceylon.
The obverse features a formal portrait of King George VI positioned within an ornate circular decorative frame, rendered in profile view as was standard for Commonwealth currency of the era. The frame is surrounded by intricate geometric and floral border patterns in the Art Deco style characteristic of 1940s banknote design. The reverse is primarily blank, following the minimalist design philosophy common in wartime currency issues when design resources were limited. The paper stock is cream-colored with visible aging patina.
FRONT: 'THE GOVERNMENT OF CEYLON' (English), 'FIFTY CENTS' (English and Tamil: ஐம்பது சதம), 'THIS NOTE IS LEGAL TENDER FOR THE PAYMENT OF ANY AMOUNT NOT EXCEEDING FIVE RUPEES' (English legal tender clause), '14TH JULY 1942' (issue date), 'COMMISSIONERS OF CURRENCY' (issuing authority). BACK: 'A 28 8564444' (serial number prefix A with numerical sequence).
Intaglio engraving, evidenced by the fine cross-hatching, detailed line work in the portrait, and ornate border patterns visible in the visual analysis. The security features employed include intricate engraved line work and elaborate decorative borders designed to prevent counterfeiting. This note was likely produced by Thomas De La Rue & Company or a similar Commonwealth security printer, standard for Ceylon's currency production during this period.
This specific note is dated 14th July 1942 with serial number prefix 'A 28 8564444'. The Pick 45a designation indicates this is the first recorded variety of the 50 Cents denomination from the 1942-1949 issue series. Varieties within this series can be distinguished by signature variations of the Commissioners of Currency officials, though such details are not clearly legible in the provided images. The bilingual English-Tamil inscription format was standard throughout the series.
