1991 - Sri Lanka - 500 Rupee
South Asian Federation Games V

Two commemorative coins were issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka in December 1991 for the South Asian Federation (SAF) Games V was held in Colombo. A five hundred rupee gold proof coin was issued together with an one hundred rupee silver proof coin.

SPECIFICATIONS
DenominationRupees 500/-
AlloyGold (500.0 Au)
Diameter14.0 mm
Thickness0.95 mm
Weight1.6 gms
ShapeRound
Edgeplain
Die-Axis
Proof8,000
MintRoyal,Wales
1991_Rs500_obverse 1991_Rs500_reverse
KM# 153

Obverse : A seated figure of "Kuvera" the God of wealth crowned and clad in a dhoti holding in the left hand a vase - "the vase of plenty" symbolising prosperity, a lamp to the left and a fire altar to the right. The country name ශ්‍රී ලංකා in Sinhala, centered at the top, இலங்கை in Thamil on the right, and SRI LANKA on the left, within a circle of dots along periphery with raised rim.
Reverse : The large numeral denomination 500 at the top. The logo of the SAF Games, SAF GAMES V COLOMBO only in English below in upawrd ard. The legal tender value රුපියල් පන්සියයයි in Sinhala, ஐந்நூறு ரூபாய் in Thamil, and FIVE HUNDRED RUPEES below. Year of issue 1991 at bottom. All within a circle of dots along periphery with raised rim.

The 12 carat gold coin is of the same design as the ancient gold coin of Sri Lanka known as 1/8. "Kalanda" or "AKA".

The Gold Proof coin enclosed in a hard plastic circular coin capsule is embedded in black velvet inside a red 7.6 cm square spring hinged box with a plain gold 6 cm square printed on top. The Emblem of the SAF games is printed in black on the white satin of the inside cover. Sealed in polythene bag with Royal Mint printed on outside, and pasted paper Label with SL91GPX and date 25.10.91. When opened a small slip of paper said Sealed at the ROYAL MINT Liantrisant Pontyclun Mid. Glam. CF7 8YT United Kingdom. The issue price I remember(?) as Rs 700/- (US$16.50) It was the first commemorative issue released at higher than face to cover cost of packaging.

The number of Proofs minted. 2001 Sept Fax from CBSL lists 8K, but Krause lists 3K. There was may be an subsequent order.

The coin was scaned at 300 dpi and the images are displayed at 254 dpi. The uncirculated commemorative coins were obtained from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.