1 Pound

The General Treasury of Ceylon issuing its own pound notes in 1850 places this squarely within a transitional moment for the island's monetary administration — the Oriental Bank Corporation had been operating in Ceylon since 1842, and private bank notes circulated alongside government paper throughout this period. A government treasury issuing directly, rather than through chartered banks, was not the default arrangement, and Pick 3 reflects an attempt at tighter fiscal control over paper currency on the island.

Local printing in Colombo at this date is notable. Most colonial paper of this period was printed in London; a Colombo-produced note from 1850 would have relied on limited local engraving resources, which often shows in the plate work.