Government of Ceylon
WWII 2c+3c=5 cent note
Pattern for June 1, 1942

June 1, 1942 emergency issue of subsidiary notes of the denomination of cents five were issued to tide over shortage of coins.
A Colour Trial with the two Stamps in Green have been considered but not adopted.
2c(red) and 3c(green) stamps of George VI were printed on postal wrappers and the 3c on printed postcards and these were used on issued note.
These are listed in Rodrigo's catalogue of Ceylon / Sri Lanka Postal Stationary Part II.(2010)
Post Card: 103, 3c-green on Creamy Whited card (P.102) Lakdiva Collection
Wrappers: 36. 2c-red on buff and 37. 3c-green on gray brown (P.205) (Both Rare)

1942_2c3c_green_front Image of
Back of note
not yet obtained.

Front : Two Green Stamp-like images with King George VI facing right at center. CEYLON on top of each stamp. Words TWO CENTS with 2c just above on either side at bottom on left side Stamp. Words THREE CENTS with 3c just above on either side at bottom at bottom on right side Stamp. Total value ශත පහ in Sinhala vertical on left, and ஐந்து சதம் in Thamil vertical on right of Stamps. 5c on the Four corners with THE GOVERNMENT OF CEYLON centered on top Just below the words in 2 lines This note is legal tender for the payment of a sum not exceeding Five Rupees. Below 2 signatures H. J. Huxham & C. H. Collins on right. Dated on left June 1, 1942 with Text Commissioners of Currency on right below signatures. Bottom left American style date used only on these locally printed notes.

Back : Blank except for Serial number stamped at top center.

Water-mark : None on Ordinary paper of unknown manufacture
The Notes are 86 by 57 mm i.e. 3 3/8 by 2 1/4 inches.
Printed by Ceylon Government Press.

The front of note was scanned at 300 dpi and displayed at 50 dpi.

The 2+3 cent Green Pattern is scanned from page 74 of the Book From Purana to the Rupee published by the CBSL in 2013 for the opening of the CBSL Economic History Museum. A Poor Specimen is on display in Museum but not identified as a Pattern. Also in British Museum Collection.