British Ceylon 1815 AE Stiver (Numista 22518)

BRITISH CEYLON
AE Stiver (28.08mm, 8.55g, 6h)
Dated 1815. Royal mint, London, UK
Obverse: GEORGIUS III D:G:BRITANNIARUM REX, laureate and draped bust of King George III right
Reverse: Indian elephant standing left, CEYLON over ONE STIVER above, 1815 in exergue
References: Numista 22518
Mintage: 2,800,000

The British were latecomers to the rich spice island of Ceylon (modern day Sri Lanka.) Forts and trade settlements were first established by the Portuguese in the early 16th century. As Portuguese power waned in the mid-17th century, control of Ceylon fell to the powerful Dutch East India Company, which profited greatly off the island's valuable cinnamon plantations. It was not until the Napoleonic era that the British became dominant, establishing complete control over Ceylon in 1815 (the year this coin was struck.) In the ensuing decades, the British successfully introduced tea, coffee, and rubber to the island, adding to its already substantial economic value. Ceylon remained under British control until 1948.

Colección : World coins - medieval to present