The reference number, refers to the figure used to identify any 1½ pence coin within several catalogs of British and World coins that are published regularly, as well some specialized books as follow:

• Davies: British Silver Coins since 1816, Peter J. Davies, 1st Edition, London, 1982. 
• ESC: English Silver Coinage since 1649, Peter Alan Rayner, Spink & Son Ltd., 5th Revised Edition, London 1992.
• KM & Krausler-Mishler: Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, Krause publications, 6th Edition, Iola, WI, 2009.
• Pridmore: The Coins of the British Commonwealth of Nations, Part 3, Fred Pridmore, Spink & Son Ltd, London, 1965.
• Spink: Coins of England and the United Kingdom, standard catalog of British coins, 45th Edition, Spink & Son Ltd, London, 2009.

The figures on the next two tables, refers to the attribution numbers given either by date or variety to an specified business or proof strike coin, as follow:





As I mentioned before about the myth of the 1½ pence, miss-attributed by authors as part of the Ceylon currency, another similar myth is the the small three halfpence, to the be part of the Maundy series. Because it was struck during this period in almost identical designs as the Maundy silver coins, it's being many times cataloged by authors as part of such series. 

Back in 1895, the British officer and author, Lieutenant-Colonel Bazillai Lowsley [1840-1905], who arrived in Colombo in March 1890, and while living in the colony for about two years, devoted himself to collecting and studying coins circulating in the island, published an article, mentioning that some confusion, apparently begins approximately at the time when the book written by Captain W.C.Tufnell, was published in 1889, where he mistook the 1½ pence of the various dates from 1834 to 1862, as Maundy coins. [1]

Apparently, it was the first time the 1½ pence were wrongly classified as Maundy coins, but not the last time, as many authors today, even catalogs, continued wrongly listing them as coins minted specifically for the Religious ceremony.

Δ   Mr. Lowsley article, was published a century ago, the first person that try to debunk the myth before the public and collectors in general. Outlined in red, some paragraphs of his article, explaining his hypothesis, which remain valid today. [2]

This hypothesis is confirmed today, as the 1½ pence was issue for distribution in the British colonies, while the Maundy silver penny to given to deserving poor people in a religious ceremony performed with the participation of the monarch of England, on Maundy Thursday, which is the Thursday before Easter.

Nevertheless, there is other hypothesis that could be the explanation of the confusion between 1½ and Maundy coins by many scholars. The last were used in a religious ceremony performed on Maundy Thursday, however, some of the Maundy coins denominations were minted as business strikes for use in the colonies.

Δ  Even they were struck as sets by the Royal Mint in Proof or Prooflike finish, in a Catholic tabloid of the time, outlined in red, was published that these small pieces were, by an order of Government declared legal tender in the U.K., regardless they were  not in reality intended for that purpose. [3]

As explained before, but not least, was the case of the 2 and 3 pence. An extension of the small silver values for colonial use by the Treasury dated October 9th, 1838, authorized the striking of 2 pence of the same type as the Maundy coin. However, the 2 pence was limited used and circulated only in British Guiana as a half bitt value. The 3 pence, circulation strikes, minted from 1834 to 1844 belong entirely to the colonial series, and circulated especially in the West Indies:



Δ  This table gives you a summary of the quantities minted in each year and each denomination, business strikes, for use in the colonies or dependencies of the British Empire. Thus, this area deserves a separated study.

Δ  This beautiful proof set of Maundy coins minted in 1848, shows the four denominations that includes, 1, 2, 3 & 4 pence, being the 2 and 3 pence cause of controversy among many authors. Note the almost identical design of the coin of a penny compared to the three halfpence. A coin identical to the 2 pence, was coined that year, but as business strikes for circulation in the colonies. [4]