1815 - Ceylon
George III - Elephant Stivers

In 1760, after the death of George II (1760 October 25th), his grandson George III, was crowned King of Great Britain and Ireland. In 1796 the dutch settlements in Ceylan were annexed to the Presidency of Madras. The appointment on 1798, April 19th, of a Governor raised British Ceylon to the position of an Indian Presidency under the Governor General of the East India Company at Calcutta. In 1802, British Ceylon passed under the control of the Secretary of State for the Colonies. On 1811, Feb 5th George III was declared insane and George IV became regent for his father. On 1815, March 2nd, the cession of the Kandyan Provinces placed the whole island Ceylon under British sovereignty. George III died on 1820, January 29th.

On 1814, April 1st, an Order in Council, authorized 200,000 rix-dollars in copper coinage. Three denominations, the 2, 1 and 1/2 stiver amounting to 80, 60 and 25 thousand rix-dollars respectively were struck for circulation. All coins struck bear the date 1815. These Stivers were demonetized along with the fanam and Dutch duits by proclamation of 1874, March 17th.

KM80 1815 Half Stiver copper coin
KM81 1815 One Stiver copper coin
KM82 1815 Two Stiver copper coin

The same order in Council authorized 100,000 silver one rix-dollars and the 200,000 rix-dollars of copper coinage was to consist of five denominations 2, 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8 stuivers. On the 1st December, 1814, the Royal Mint, London, received orders from the Treasury to strike the coinage. Dies were sunk for the copper 1/4 Stiver but not struck. The dies were engraved by Thomas Wyon, jr.

The metal at 50 stivers to the pound for this issue was obtained from the Tower halfpence demonetized in England.

The Dick Ford collection (in Taisei-Baldwin-Gillio Auction#19 1995 February 23 Singapore) sold the set of the 3 coins (2, 1 and 1.2 Stiver) (lot#186) in Proof and (lot#185) in nearly Mint state for hammer price of US( $800/-,$280/- +10% buyers premium).

Dies were prepared for the silver rix-dollar but only a few proof specimens exist. The design was used in the 1821 coin.

Text edited from
Ceylon Coins and Currency By H. W. Codrington. Colombo 1924 Page 150, 154 Chapter XI British - Coins struk in England - Plate 151.