Ceylon 1805 48 stivers
This specimen was lot 89 in Classical Numismatic Group's sale of the Lissner Collection (Chicago, August 2014), where it sold for $3,327.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "CEYLON (SRI LANKA), Colonial. British. George III. 1760-1820. AR 48 Stivers. Hammered coinage. Colombo mint. Dated 1805. In NGC encapsulation graded MS 65. A gem UNC with very light patina. Probably the finest known specimen. Highest graded of the denomination. Worthy of the best Collection. Purchased from M. Louis Teller, April 1983." This 48 stiver piece was struck by the hammer 1803-09 in Ceylon. This mix of stivers and rixdollars was inherited by the British from the Dutch, who occupied the island until 1796. Decimal coinage was instituted in 1870. Ceylon attained her independence in 1948 after the British left India and is now known as Sri Lanka. This type is not priced in the SCWC above Extremely Fine.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: .892 fine silver, this specimen Ø19 mm, 8.81 g, 6h axis.
Catalog reference: KM 77; Cr 32.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Teller, M. Louis, and Victor England, Jr., The Richard Lissner Collection, Lancaster, PA: Classical Numismatic Group, 2014.
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