The Mercantile Bank
of India, London & China
Ceylon Branch - 1857 - Kandy

The Mercantile Bank of Bombay founded in 1853 was named the Mercantile Bank of India, London & China in 1857. It recieved Royal Charter on 1857 September 15. In Ceylon it issued notes at its initial branches, Colombo & Kandy, within months. This note was printed by Batho & Co London before it renamed to The Chartered Mercantile Bank of India, London & China has an Engraving with Brittania.

Private Bank issue of Banknotes with a face value of £1 and higher was authorized by 1844 Ordinance 23, that was replaced by 1861 Ordinance 2 which authorized the issue of Banknotes with a face value of 10 Shillings and higher. Since 5 Shillings was never Authorized it is unlikely that this note entered circulation and remained only a specimen. That may explain why Sinhala and Thamil text are not included.

Denomination: 5 Shillings
Note Color: Black
Overprint Color: Blue
English : Five Shillings
Sinhala : සිලින් පහයි
Thamil : ஐந்து ஷீலீன்
Size : 148 x 112 mm
Date : 1857
Status : Signed
Pick-lk S131

Front : On a decorated rectangular wide border centered on top CEYLON BRANCH. Within border on top Center, Helmeted Britannia(Queen Boudica) seated facing forward, Spear pointed up in right hand Shield with Union Jack in her left hand with crown on top, Anchor, two packages and steam boat with sails down with mountain behind to right. Sailing Ship, package, bale, sleeping lion, Caduceus and coconut palm on right. On either side numeric 5 SHILLINGS in decorate with below small Batho & Co on left and London on right, above No _____ (space for Serial). Below KANDY on left, and ____ 18__ on right.
THE MERCANTILE BANK OF INDIA, LONDON & CHINA Promises to pay bearer on demand at its Branch in KANDY in the Currency of the Island FIVE SHILLINGS value recd
Below By Order of the Directors above in one line Entd _____ ACCTt ______ MANAGER
Back : Blank ?
WaterMark : Probabaly None, but need to confirm
Printed : Batho & Co London.
Size : From Kandy Note from HSBC Archive,

The Value as large word FIVE in background in light Blue and the hand stamped Sinhala and Thamil of Colombo issue not present in this Specimen.

Engraving has lot in common with the Ceylon Government Treasury Notes of 1850 but excluding the Elephant. Same engraving used in Hong Kong.

Image from Spink Auction on 2024 Oct 8th lot 47 displayed at 50 dpi.

Text from Spink Auction 2011 April of 19th Century Ceylon Notes.