Ceylon Coins 5 Cents 1944 King George VI
Obverse: Crowned effigy of George VI to left in relief in the center of the legend GEORGE VI KING AND EMPEROR OF INDIA, along periphery.
Engraver: Designer Percy Metcalfe initials P M in relief below the truncation on some but not all issues.
Reverse: CEYLON above large central numeral 5 above CENTS and year below. Left Sinhala sather paha; Right Tamil 5 Satam.
Lettering: CEYLON 5 CENTS 1944.
Edge: Plain.
Country: Ceylon.
Years: 1942-1945.
Value: 5 Cents.
Metal: Nickel-brass.
Weight: 3.85 g.
Diameter: 18 mm.
Thickness: 1.71 mm.
Shape: Square with round corners.
Issue: 18,064,000.
Mint: Calcutta & Bombay.
References: KM# 113.
It is interesting to note that Indian Silver and copper coins of George VI like those of George V do not have OF INDIA, like seen on Ceylon and most other commonwealth nations maybe because INDIA is already mentioned on Indian coins. Those which were already independent which used IND. IMP as on British coins. Edward VII also used no OF INDIA on any coins I presume as he was considered Emperor of the British Empire.
All coins produced during the reign of King George VI minted for use in colonial locations use a crowned head while issues designed for use in the U.K. and commonwealth places such as South Africa, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand featured an uncrowned head. The crowned head was however also used for King George VI coins issued in Ceylon in 1951 after independence. The crown was removed in the Queen Elizabeth coin of 1955.