Ceylonese rixdollar
Encyclopedia
The rixdollar was the currency of British Ceylon
until 1828. It was subdivided into 48 stivers, each of 4 duit. Units called the fanam and larin were also used, worth 4 and 9½ stiver, respectively. The currency derived from the Dutch rijksdaalder
and stuiver
, although the rijksdaalder was worth 50 stuiver. The rixdollar was replaced by the British pound at a rate of 1 rixdollar = 1 shilling
6 pence
.
(VOC) issued coins during the 18th century in denominations of ⅛ and 1 duit, ¼, 1, 2 and 4¾ stuiver and 1 rixdollar.
After the British took over Ceylon, dump coins (crudely struck copper pieces) were introduced in 1801 in denominations of , and rixdollar. In 1802, milled, copper coins for , and rixdollar were added, although the dump coins continued to be produced until 1816. Silver coins were introduced in 1803 for 24, 48 and 96 stivers.
In 1815, copper ½, 1 and 2 stiver coins were issued, equal in value to the , and rixdollar denominations. Silver rixdollar coins were issued in 1821.
British Ceylon
British Ceylon refers to British rule prior to 1948 of the island territory now known as Sri Lanka.-From the Dutch to the British:Before the beginning of the Dutch governance, the island of Ceylon was divided between the Portuguese Empire and the Kingdom of Kandy, who were in the midst of a war for...
until 1828. It was subdivided into 48 stivers, each of 4 duit. Units called the fanam and larin were also used, worth 4 and 9½ stiver, respectively. The currency derived from the Dutch rijksdaalder
Dutch rijksdaalder
The rijksdaalder was a Dutch coin first issued by the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands in the late 16th century during the Dutch Revolt. Featuring an armored half bust of the William the Silent, rijksdaalder was minted to the Saxon reichsthaler weight standard - 448 grains of .885 fine...
and stuiver
Stuiver
The stuiver was a pre-decimal coin used in the Netherlands It was worth 16 penning or 8 duit. Twenty stuivers equalled a guilder.It circulated until the Napoleonic Wars...
, although the rijksdaalder was worth 50 stuiver. The rixdollar was replaced by the British pound at a rate of 1 rixdollar = 1 shilling
Shilling
The shilling is a unit of currency used in some current and former British Commonwealth countries. The word shilling comes from scilling, an accounting term that dates back to Anglo-Saxon times where it was deemed to be the value of a cow in Kent or a sheep elsewhere. The word is thought to derive...
6 pence
Penny
A penny is a coin or a type of currency used in several English-speaking countries. It is often the smallest denomination within a currency system.-Etymology:...
.
Coins
The Netherlands United East India CompanyDutch East India Company
The Dutch East India Company was a chartered company established in 1602, when the States-General of the Netherlands granted it a 21-year monopoly to carry out colonial activities in Asia...
(VOC) issued coins during the 18th century in denominations of ⅛ and 1 duit, ¼, 1, 2 and 4¾ stuiver and 1 rixdollar.
After the British took over Ceylon, dump coins (crudely struck copper pieces) were introduced in 1801 in denominations of , and rixdollar. In 1802, milled, copper coins for , and rixdollar were added, although the dump coins continued to be produced until 1816. Silver coins were introduced in 1803 for 24, 48 and 96 stivers.
In 1815, copper ½, 1 and 2 stiver coins were issued, equal in value to the , and rixdollar denominations. Silver rixdollar coins were issued in 1821.