5 Rupees

Ceylon's Government Currency Notes predated the establishment of a central bank by decades — the island had no dedicated monetary authority until 1950, leaving the colonial administration itself as the note-issuing body throughout this period. The Currency Note Ordinance underpinned the series, with the government rather than any chartered bank bearing direct liability.

The P#11 series ran across four decades, which accounts for the signature combinations. Clementi here is almost certainly Cecil Clementi, who served as Governor of Ceylon from 1925 — his name appearing on notes dated within months of his appointment. The Alexander pairing on the single October 1925 date suggests a transitional signing arrangement, likely reflecting a change in the Colonial Secretary or Treasurer role mid-year.

The 01.10.1925 date exists with two distinct signature combinations, making that particular issue the one worth distinguishing carefully when cataloging.