The British colony of Ceylon, now known as Sri Lanka, has long been a popular sector for numismatists.

Spink's Ceylon Banknotes sale in London on April 14 is likely to attract many investors from this specialist field, with a number of rare items on offer.

One of the leading lots is expected to be an extremely rare 19^th century Mercantile Bank of India, London & China five-shilling note, produced in Colombo.

Ceylon was under British rule from 1815 to 1948

The note has some worn damage around the extremities but is otherwise in fine condition. It features a seated Britannia complete with symbols of commerce. A black vertical handstamp stating "Issued at Kandy", the British name for the city of Mahu Nuvara, is prominent in the centre of the note, which has a high end estimate of £8,500.

Its year of production is unknown.

Other leading notes at the sale, which is one of a few banknote auctions being held at Spink that week, include a five-rupee Oriental Bank Corporation specimen from 1894 valued at £7,000, and an 1865 Asiatic Banking Corporation £5 note estimated at £4,000.

Two rare 1938 Ceylon government-issue 10-rupee notes each sold for £5,500 at a Baldwin's auction in 2010.