1990 - Sri Lanka - 500 Rupee
Central Bank of Sri Lanka
40th Anniversary

A commemorative five hundred rupee crown-sized silver coin was issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka August 1990 for it's 40th Anniversary.

SPECIFICATIONS Denomination Rupees 500/- Alloy Silver (925. Ag) Diameter 38.6 mm Thickness 2.9 mm Weight 28.28 gms Shape Round Edge Grained Die-Axis 0° Proof-like 10,000 Proof 200+2000 Mint Royal,Wales
	KM# 150

Obverse : The Central Bank logo with the legend `FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY', in Sinhala above the logo, and in Tamil and English on either side. The period `1950-1990' appears below.
Reverse : A image of the Central Bank building in the center of the coin flanked by the words `Sri Lanka' in Sinhala at the bottom, and Tamil and English on either side. The numerals `500' and the legal tender value `FIVE HUNDRED RUPEES' in Sinhala, Tamil and English is above the image.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka was established in 1950 as the authority responsible for the administration and regulation of the monetary and banking system.
The coin was modelled by Ian Rank-Broadley and struck to the highest Proof standard at the Royal Mint, Llantrisant, Mid Glamorgan CF72 8YT, Wales, United Kingdom.

The frosted Proof coin enclosed in a circular coin case is embedded in black velvet inside a Red leatherette 7.6cm square spring hinged box with a plain gold 6 cm square printed on top. The Emblem of the Royal Mint is printed in black on the white satin in the inside cover. An information sheet contains the specifications and the text in English. They were not issued to the public in Lanka, but Two hundred were given to dignitaries at the anniversary celebrations. Authorised by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka the additional 2000 were sold directly by the Royal Mint for US$60 to collectors abroad.

The coin released in Lanka is Proof-like and issued in a hard clear plastic coin capsule. This was the first number of high value commemorative Crown size coins minted in the 1990's. It was the last to be issued at face value Rs 500/- (US$12.50).
In Fax from CBSL the number minted is listed 10K (Krause lists 5K) and 200 proofs which was the number they took delivery.

The coin was scaned at 300dpi and the images are displayed at 150dpi. The Proof-like commemorative coin was obtained from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. I purchased a Frosted Proof in original Royal Mint Box in 2002 March on ebay from a dealer in US. Another was listed soon after by Eddie Smith of England who provided me the information about the sale by the RoyalMint.
Some of the Proof coins which remained unsold by the RoyalMint may have been sent to CBSL. I did understand from a converstion at CentralBank counter that some of this coin with red box had been issued by the CBSL few years ago.