Ceylon 1893 25 cents
The first specimen was lot 106 in Classical Numismatic Group's sale of the Lissner Collection (Chicago, August 2014), where it sold for $217.80. The catalog description[1] noted, "CEYLON (SRI LANKA), Colonial. British. Victoria. 1837-1901. AR 25 Cents. London mint. Dated 1893. In NGC encapsulation graded MS 65. Gem with just a bit of deep amber toning on obverse and reverse. Very choice coin. Highest ever graded for the date." This twenty-five cent piece was struck 1892-1900 as part of the decimal currency reform of 1870 in Ceylon. The earlier mix of stivers and rixdollars was inherited by the British from the Dutch, who occupied the island until 1796. Bronze ¼, ½, one and five cents were issued in bronze and ten and fifty cents issued in silver. Ceylon attained her independence in 1948 after the British left India and is now known as Sri Lanka. This specimen sold for five times the catalog value.
Recorded mintage: 1,500,000 plus proofs.
Specification: 2.91 g, 0.800 fine silver, this specimen Ø18 mm, 2.9 g, 12h axis.
Catalog reference: KM 95; Y 9.
- 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.
Link to:
- 1892 25 cents
- 1893 10 cents
- 1893 50 cents
- 1899 25 cents
- Coins and currency dated 1893
- return to coins of Ceylon