1999 - Sri Lanka - 1 Rupee
Sri Lanka Army - 50th Anniversary

A commemorative one rupee nickel plated steel coin was issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka on 1999 October 18th to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Army.

SPECIFICATIONS
DenominationRupees one
AlloyNickel plated steel
Diameter25.4 mm
Thickness2.0 mm
Weight7.13 gms
ShapeRound
EdgeGrained
Die-Axis
Issue BU127,000
MintRoyal,Wales
1999_Rs1_obverse 1999_Rs1_reverse
KM# 162

Obverse : The Armorial Ensign of Sri Lanka Army with crossed Kastane swords behind National emblem above amd banner with ශ්‍රී ලංකා යුද්ධ හමුදාව in Sinhala only below. Within a incomplete circle of dots with 1949-1999 at bottom.. ස්වර්ණ ජයන්තිය in Sinhala on top, பொன் விழா in Thamil on left, and GOLDEN JUBILEE on right along periphery within raised rim.
Reverse : To the left an artist's impression of a helmeted soldier with gun hung behind, holding a child with right hand. On the left hand of the soldier a peace dove. To the right value in 3 lines රුපියලයි in Sinhala, ஒரு ரூபாய் in Thamil. and ONE RUPEE At bottom the year of issue 1999. Name of country ශ්‍රී ලංකා in Sinhala centered on top, இலங்கை in Thamil on left, and SRI LANKA on right, along periphery with raised rim.

The nickel plated steel coin has been minted to the existing standard Rs. 1/- in circulation. The artwork was done by Central Bank artist Mrs Padmanjalie Karunatillake. Minted at Royal Mint Llantrsant, Pontyclum, CF72 8YT, United Kingdom. R de L Holmes - Deputy Master (Chief Executive).

The brilliant uncirculated coin enclosed in a circular hard plastic coin holder is embedded in black velvet inside a white plastic 8.0cm square box. The Emblem of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka printed in black on top and in black on the white paper of the inside cover. An unnumbered Certificate of Authenticity contains the specifications and description in Sinhala, Tamil and English. The issue price (October 1999) in Sri Lanka Rs 150/- (US $2).

This limited commemorative coin was not issued for circulation at face value. The very large primium relative to face was the largest for any coin issue before then.

Also issued as a frosted Proof coin to the same specification and metal which looks distictly different. The BU coin is almost Proof-like but can be clearly distinguished from the smooth surface of the image of soldier.

The coin was scaned at 600 dpi and the images are displayed at 254 dpi. The commemorative coin was obtained from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

Media Report 1999 10 12 CDN