This note, consisting of a 2 cents stamp on the left and a 3 cents stamp on the right, roulettes down the center for ease of separation. It is probably the only currency note which could be torn in two and the two parts were still legal tender at different denominations.

Scans courtesy of Dr. Kavan Ratnatunga. Additional information about this note can be found on his website.

Front: George VI (1895-1952), King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the British dominions beyond the seas 1936-1952

George VI was born Albert Frederick Arthur George Windsor, son of George V and Queen Mary.

Albert joined the Royal Navy in 1909 and served as a naval cadet. He served during World War I, and saw action aboard HMS Collingwood in the Battle of Jutland (31 May-1 June 1916). In 1917, Albert joined the Royal Air Force but did not see any further action in the war. After the war, Albert studied history, economics and civics for a year at Trinity College, Cambridge.

Albert married Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, on 26 April 1923.

Albert became King George VI when his brother King Edward VIII abdicated the throne on December 11, 1936. Officially he was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the British dominions beyond the seas. George VI was the last Emperor of India (until 1947) and the last King of Ireland (until 1949).

Back: Thuparama Dagoba at Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

Thuparama Dagoba is the oldest shrine in Sri Lanka and contains the collarbone of the Buddha, a gift from the Emperor Ashoka to King Devanampiyitissa, who converted his kingdom to Buddhism.

Front: Elizabeth II (1926-), Queen of United Kingdom, British colonies and Commonwealth of Nations

Back: Ornate stairway

Scans courtesy of Tod Hunt.

Front: Solomon West Ridgeway Dias Bandaranaike (1899-1959), prime minister of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) 1956-59

Bandaranaike was educated at the University of Oxford. In 1952 he founded the nationalist Sri Lanka Freedom Party, and became the opposition leader in the legislature. He later formed an alliance of four nationalist-socialist parties that won elections in 1956 and made him prime minister.

Under Bandaranaike, Sinhalese replaced English as the country's official language, Buddhism (the majority religion) was given a prominent place in the affairs of state, and Ceylon established diplomatic relations with communist states. He was assassinated in 1959.

Back: Ceremonial figures

Front: Statue of King Parakkrama (1153-1186)

Back: Ceremonial figures