1965 Rupee SP64 Certification #38308801, PCGS #668495

Ceylon Rupee, Ex King's Norton Mint Collection, Copper-Nickel, 25mm / 7 g. The 1 rupee note was replaced by coins in 1963. Ceylon declared its independence from British colonial rule in 1948 and became a republic in 1972 within the Commonwealth of Nations of former territories of the British Empire (returning to its pre-colonial name, Sri Lanka). The Royal Mint, London UK struck 5 million of these standard circulation coins in 1965. The obverse depicts the Coat of Arms with "Ceylon" in English, Sinhala and Tamil. The Coat of Arms is derived from the Royal Banner of the Kandyan Kingdom with a gold lion passant holding a sword and topped with a crown symbolizing Queen Elizabeth II as head of state of Ceylon. The crown disappeared from the country's arms after the change of status to an independent republic. The reverse shows the denomination in all three languages above the year.