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50 Rupees
| Issuer | Oriental Bank Corporation, Galle |
|---|---|
| Year | 1866 |
| Type | Standard circulation banknote |
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|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | රියල්පනහයි சம்பதுரூபாய் Incorporated by Royal Charter. GALLE, CEYLON 15th June 1866 THE ORIENTAL BANK CORPORATION Promise to pay the Bearer on demand at their Branch here or at their Bank in Colombo FIFTY RUPEES, or the equivalent in the Currency of this Island. Value received. By order of the Court of Directors. Entd. Account SPECIMEN Agent. |
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| Variants | P#149 - Specimen |
| Comments |
The Oriental Bank Corporation was a British overseas bank chartered in London, with its Eastern operations centered on the trade routes running through Ceylon, India, and the Straits Settlements. The Galle branch operated at a time when that port still dominated Ceylon's export trade — Colombo would not fully eclipse it until the late nineteenth century. Private banknote issue by foreign-chartered commercial banks in Ceylon was already becoming restricted by this period, making this a late example from a closing window.
The Oriental Bank Corporation collapsed in 1884, its failure triggered by the collapse of coffee prices after the leaf rust blight devastated Ceylon's plantations. Notes not redeemed before liquidation became worthless.