.9999 GOLD Foil Note
This week's Fantasy Friday takes us to the island nation of Ceylon — today known as Sri Lanka — and honours one of the most recognizable figures ever to appear on world currency: Queen Elizabeth II.
This also brings us into a special kind of Fantasy note that is very popular — Gold Foil Notes. The reflective nature, look and design create amazing collectible items that receive the highest praise from collectors.
The Note at a Glance
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Issuer | Central Bank of Ceylon (Fantasy/Commemorative) |
| Denomination | 1 Rupee |
| Year | 1952 (Commemorative 2022) |
| Material | .9999 Gold Foil |
| Design | Specimen / Fantasy |
| Occasion | Platinum Jubilee — 70 Years (1952–2022) |
Ceylon — The Island That Changed Its Name
Ceylon was a British Crown Colony from 1815 until independence in 1948. For over a century, this lush tropical island in the Indian Ocean was one of the jewels of the British Empire — famous for its tea, rubber, and spices.
In 1972, Ceylon officially changed its name to Sri Lanka, severing its last formal ties to the colonial era and becoming a republic. The name Sri Lanka comes from Sanskrit, meaning "Resplendent Island."
The Ceylon Lion — the Sinhala Lion — remains one of the most iconic symbols in the region, carried forward onto the Sri Lankan flag and coat of arms to this day.
Queen Elizabeth II — The Last Monarch on Ceylon Currency
Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne on February 6, 1952 — the very same year as the original Ceylon 1 Rupee note this commemorative is based upon. Her portrait appeared on Ceylon banknotes and coins during the early years of her reign, making the 1952 note a historically significant piece.
She went on to become the longest-reigning monarch in history, serving for 70 years until her passing in September 2022. Her image graced the currency of more nations than any other monarch in history.
The Obverse
A Portrait Fit for a Queen
The obverse of this gold foil note features the young Queen Elizabeth II — the same portrait style used on the original 1952 Central Bank of Ceylon issue. Her image is rendered in stunning detail across the .9999 gold foil surface.
The text "Central Bank of Ceylon — One Rupee" frames the portrait, faithful to the original note's design. The serial number prefix A/1 0000 identifies this as a specimen design — a collector's art piece, not a circulated issue.
The Platinum Jubilee ER Cypher — A Special Detail
One of the most significant details on this commemorative note is the Platinum Jubilee ER Cypher — the intertwined E and R beneath a royal crown marking 70 years of Queen Elizabeth II's reign (1952–2022).
This cypher does not appear on the original 1952 Ceylon note. It was added specifically for this commemorative gold foil issue to mark the Platinum Jubilee.
The Reverse
The Temple of the Tooth, Kandy
The reverse features the Temple of the Tooth (Sri Dalada Maligawa) in Kandy — one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in the world, said to house the relic of the tooth of the Buddha, brought to Ceylon in the 4th century AD.
The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been a place of pilgrimage and national identity for the Sinhalese people for over 1,600 years. Its appearance on the Ceylon Rupee was a deliberate choice to anchor the nation's currency in its deepest cultural heritage.
The Stairs — A Closer Look
The ornate stone entrance steps of the Temple of the Tooth are among the most distinctive architectural features in all of South Asia. Flanked by carved pillars and traditional Sri Lankan Buddhist decorative stonework, the steps lead to the inner sanctum where the sacred tooth relic is housed.
These steps have welcomed kings, pilgrims, and heads of state for centuries — their appearance on the Ceylon Rupee connecting everyday commerce to one of the island's most enduring sacred sites.
This .9999 gold foil commemorative is a perfect collectible item for many topical collectors, Queen Elizabeth notes as an example. I personally like to place a gold foil note at the start of a countries banknotes - This one would fit Ceylon if you are luck y enough to have any or Sri Lanka. Anyone that views your collection will take notice when looking through.
Did you enjoy the article? Drop a comment below — do you collect royalty notes or Commonwealth currency? Would love to hear what's in your collection! 👇
1 comment
Amy Lavigne
I never cared for Fantasy Notes, even the foil ones never appealed to me. And then I bought a set (Star Wars) as a gift for someone, and I was so impressed with it. I then bought myself a set!