Ceylonese rixdollar

The rixdollar was the currency of British Ceylon until 1828. It was subdivided into 48 stivers, each of 4 duit. Units called the fanam and larin were also used, worth 4 and 9½ stiver, respectively. The currency derived from the Dutch rijksdaalder and stuiver, although the rijksdaalder was worth 50 stuiver.

Initially containing over 25 grams fine silver worth 4 shillings and sixpence in the 17th century, the Ceylonese rixdollar was worth just one-third this amount by the 19th century. In 1825 it was replaced by sterling coin at a rate of 1 rixdollar = 11⁄2 shillings, less than the Indian rupee which was worth about 111⁄12 shillings.