1902 - 1910 - Ceylon

Edward VII - Five Cents

A definitive decimal Ceylon currency Five cent cupro-nickel coin established by an local proclamation dated 1909 December 13th. Declared legal tender in Ceylon 1910 January 1st with limit of tender 50 cents.

SPECIFICATIONS
Denomination5 cents
AlloyCu-Ni
Diameter18.5 mm
Thickness mm
Weight3.88 gms
ShapeSquare with
Rounded corners
EdgePlain
DieAxisO°
 Edward~VII_05c_obverse Edward~VII_05c_reverse
KM #103

Obverse : Crowned bust of Edward to right in relief in the center of the legend EDWARD VII KING & EMPEROR, along periphery.

Reverse : CEYLON above central numeral 5 below which CENTS and year below. Left Sinhala sather paha; Right Tamil 5.Satam.

Pridmore Year Alloy Issue Mint
185 1909 CuNi 2,000,000 Royal Mint
186 1910 CuNi 4,000,000 Royal Mint

The copper (75%) nickel (25%) coin is same weight as the contempory Indian Anna. The square shape with rounded corners was adopted to prevent any confusion with the Indian coin.

The coin was scaned at 300dpi and the images are displayed at 300dpi.

Pridmore (184) lists a Proof 1904, Not issued for currency of the same large copper design of the Victoria Five CENT coin.
Obverse : Crowned bust to right in relief in the center of the legend EDWARD VII KING & EMPEROR, along periphery. Engraver initials DES in relief below.
Reverse : Talipot palm in center with Left Sinhala sather paha; Right Tamil 5 Satam. CEYLON . FIVE . CENTS and year 1904 below along periphery.
Very few specimens known of this Five cents proof only issue.
The Dick Ford collection (in Taisei-Baldwin-Gillio Auctions #19 Ceylon 1995 February 23. Singapore lot#225) sold together with 251A 233A 204A for hammer price of $6,000/-.(+10% buyers premium).
It is listed as a pattern in Krause (Pn8), as probably it should since only few proofs minted and not publicly released, unlike for example the 1951 5-cent. Were more Proofs minted of the other 1904 issues ?