| SPECIFICATIONS | |
| Denomination | Rupees 500/- |
| Alloy | Silver (925. Ag) |
| Diameter | 38.6 mm |
| Thickness | 3.2 mm |
| Weight | 28.28 gms |
| Shape | Round |
| Edge | Grained |
| Die-Axis | 0° |
| Proof-boxed | 5,000 |
| Proof | 25,000 |
| Mint | Royal,Wales |
A commemorative five hundred rupee crown-sized silver proof coin was issued by Central Bank of Sri Lanka in June 1993 for the 2300th Anniversary of the arrival of Buddha's teachings in Sri Lanka, via Arahat Mahinda, the son of the great King Asoka of Maghada in Jambudwipa (India).
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| KM# 154 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Obverse : A symbolic representation of the first ever
meeting of Arahant Mahinda with King Devanampivatissa at the Missaka
Pabbata (Mihintale Rock) near Anuradhapura. The Dhamma Chakka (The
wheel of Dhamma) symbolically represent Arahant Mahinda as well and
Buddha Dhamma. The words `ANUBUDU MIHINDU JAYANTHIYA' in Sinhala at
the apex, and in Tamil and English on either side with the numerals
`2300' at the bottom along the periphery.
Reverse : A stylised Bodhi Tree representing the
sacred Bo Tree at Buddha Gaya, seated at the foot of which Buddha
attained Enlightenment. Also depicted is the ornamental golden railing
around the Sacred Bodhi Tree. The year of issue `1993'
with the corresponding Buddhist year `2537' appear on the side of the
Bodhi Tree. The words "Shri Lanka" in Sinhala at the apex, and in Tamil
and English on either side. The numerals `500' and the value `FIVE
HUNDRED RUPEES' in Sinhala at the bottom and in Tamil and English on
either side along the periphery.
The Silver Proof coin enclosed in a hard clear plastic circular coin capsule is embedded in yellow velvet inside a beige 7.5 cm square spring hinged box with a enlarged 6 cm reverse of the coin printed in silver on top. The Emblem of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka is printed on the white satin in the inside cover. The issue price of 5000 Proofs in presentation box was Rupees 700/- (US $14.50). The remainder issued at face value (US$10) in plastic capsule. CBSL confirm that they too were frosted-Proof.
The coin was scaned at 300dpi and the images are displayed at 150dpi. The Proof commemorative coin was obtained from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
This is the only Lanka coin to use the altered spelling `Shri' introduced by President Premadasa and used on Lanka Stamps issued between June 1992 and December 1993.