CEYLON: George III, 1760-1820, AR 48 stivers, 1809, KM-77, Prid-13, elephant left // legend, magnificent strike and wonderful rainbow toning, AU, ex Jerry D. Williams Collection.

NOTE: There are many scratches underneath the head of the elephant.

In 1802 Ceylon was made a British Crown Colony, and, by the Treaty of Amiens with France, British possession of maritime Ceylon was confirmed. The first coinages struck for the island under British rule consisted of copper and silver, both minted locally. The silver coins commenced a little later than the copper, but like the copper, they were struck by contractors until the founding of the Ceylon Government mint in 1811.

Estimate: 400-500 USD