1947 Ceylon 25 Cents Banknote – King George VI | P-44b.2 | WWII-Era Fractional Note

A rare survivor of wartime monetary policy, the 1947 Ceylon 25 Cents banknote offers collectors a glimpse into the economic and colonial landscape of mid-20th century Sri Lanka. Issued under King George VI, this fractional note was part of a series printed between 1942 and 1949 to address metal shortages and facilitate small transactions during and after WWII.



Key Features

Issuer: Government of Ceylon
Date: 1st March 1947
Denomination: Twenty-Five Cents
Pick Number: P-44b.2
Catalog Reference: SCWPM Asia > Sri Lanka (Ceylon) P-44b
Printer: India Security Press
Size: Approx. 102 × 51 mm
Watermark: None
Signatures: O. E. Goonetilleke & C. E. Jones – Commissioners of Currency

Serial Format: Prefix + 6-digit number (e.g., A/52 123456)

Frame Data:

Obverse: Central portrait of King George VI flanked by denomination text in English, Sinhala (ශත විසිපහ), and Tamil (இருபத்தைந்து சதம்).

Reverse: Blank except for serial number

Color Scheme: Brown and multicolor on white/beige paper
Security Features: None; uniface design



Historical and Collector Insight

This note was issued during a transitional period when nickel-brass coins had already been legalized, yet paper notes continued to circulate due to lingering shortages and logistical delays. The 25 Cents denomination was legal tender only for payments under Five Rupees, reflecting its role in daily commerce.

Collectors value this note for its:

Wartime issuance and colonial context
Uncommon denomination and short print run
Trilingual design, showcasing Ceylon’s linguistic diversity

Portrait-centered layout, unique among lower denominations