TRIVIA: Beautiful coin that shouldn't be

Discussion in 'Coin Chat' started by Clinker, Oct 25, 2007.

  1. Clinker

    Clinker Coin Collector

    Pay attention...

    What I'm about to reveal to you is the striking of a coin that should never have been minted.

    More than likely, you know that present day Sri Lanka used to be called Ceylon

    But, do you know a very weird event took place in Sri Lanka in 1992?
    The President of Sri Lanka, President Premadasa, didn't like how the pronunciation of the country's name did not agree as to how it was spelled. In June of '92 he made a declaration (or edict) changing the spelling from "Sri" Lanka to "Shri" Lanka.

    Guess what?

    It was decided in December of '93 President Premadasa did not have the authority to change the spelling. The name of the country reverted back to its original spelling: "Sri" Lanka.

    The country's name was written as "Shri" Lanka for a mere 17 months, but numismatic history produced a very unique coin during that time period:

    1993 turned out to be the 2300th anniversary of India's introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka. It was decided to issue a 500 Rupee coin to celebrate the occasion. The powers to be decided the coin should be struck only in proof condition. All well and good, but somehow the issuing country's name was spelled on the coin with the "h." The "Shri" Lanka 500 rupee coin was the only coin issued by Sri Lanka with that spelling, making it a very sought after coin.

    It, not only is a religious commemorative, but stands on its own as a beautiful silver coin! (there were only 15,000 minted).

    Take a look at it (image courtesy of Joelscoins.com):

    NOTE: When viewing the coin, you'll see the name "SHRI" at 1:00 o'clock

    http://www.joelscoins.com/images/srilanka154r.jpg

    Just thought you'd like to know...

    Clinker
     
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  3. Art

    Art Numismatist?

    It is a beautiful coin. Very interesting piece of info. Thanks.
     
  4. Bonedigger

    Bonedigger New Member

    WOW <@> <@> Very Interesting...
     
  5. Just Carl

    Just Carl Numismatist

    Thanks for a post I can print out. Lately so many links that I don't print them out. In a few years those links may not be of any value. Again, thanks.
     
  6. De Orc

    De Orc Well-Known Member

    Once again a great write up :bow:
     
  7. Clinker

    Clinker Coin Collector

    Art

    Thank you Art for reading and commenting

    Clinker
     
  8. Clinker

    Clinker Coin Collector

    Bonedigger

    Thanks for the encouragemeing comment, once again!

    Clinker
     
  9. Clinker

    Clinker Coin Collector

    Just Carl


    Thanks "Just Carl," but in your endeavor I think you're more than Just Carl!

    Clinker
     
  10. Clinker

    Clinker Coin Collector

    De Orc

    :hail:You helped make my day with your comment!:hail:

    Clinker
     
  11. rotobeast

    rotobeast Old Newbie

    Very interesting article.
    :)

    Any idea of what the value of these are ?
     
  12. Clinker

    Clinker Coin Collector

    rotobeast

    Go to http://www.joelscoins.com

    Type Sri Lanka in search engine window, click results and scroll down to the coin, info and price....

    Hope this helps...

    Clinker
     
  13. USS656

    USS656 Here to Learn Supporter


    Ditto! - Thanks Clinker...
     
  14. rotobeast

    rotobeast Old Newbie

    Great site !

    Thanks again, Clinker.
    ;)
     
  15. Clinker

    Clinker Coin Collector

    Uss656

    Agreat big :loud: T H A N K

    Y O U!


    Clinker
     
  16. der_meister77

    der_meister77 Senior Member

    Thanks for the interesting post!
     
  17. Clinker

    Clinker Coin Collector

    der_meister77

    Nice to hear from you, der_meister77. Hope you write more comments in the future!

    Clinker
     
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