The Bank of England has announced that its next series of banknotes will feature four native UK species: the Atlantic puffin, barn owl, buff-tailed bumblebee, and European hedgehog. This selection was made after a public consultation that attracted a significant number of respondents. The consultation asked the public to choose their preferred wildlife from a shortlist of 18 options across mammals, birds, and insects/amphibians/fish.
According to the Bank of England, the barn owl, buff-tailed bumblebee, and European hedgehog topped the popularity charts in their respective categories. The Atlantic puffin was the most favored marine animal. The bank's objective is to create a distinctive and counterfeit-resilient series that reflects the diversity of UK wildlife. The chosen species will be incorporated as central imagery on the banknotes.
The design work for the new banknotes will include additional natural motifs and the portrait of the monarch, which will continue to appear on all denominations. Bank of England Chief Cashier Victoria Cleland highlighted that the selected species are both inspiring and useful for enhancing security features. The banknotes are expected to be rolled out over the next few years due to the lengthy design and printing process.
The new series will replace the current notes that feature historical figures such as Sir Winston Churchill, Jane Austen, JMW Turner, and Alan Turing. The Bank of England noted that final decisions on which animal will appear on each specific denomination will be announced closer to the launch. Incoming Chief Cashier Rhys Phillips outlined the next steps of design, testing, and production.
The public consultation was a crucial part of the process, allowing the public to have a say in the design of the banknotes. Nearly half a million respondents participated, providing valuable feedback that helped the Bank of England make its decision. The bank aims to create a unique and secure banknote series that showcases the UK's rich wildlife.
The Bank of England's decision to feature native UK species on its banknotes is seen as a way to promote awareness and appreciation of the country's wildlife. The selected species are iconic and well-known, and their inclusion on the banknotes is expected to inspire interest and pride in the UK's natural heritage.
The rollout of the new banknote series is expected to take place over the next few years, with the design and printing process taking several years to complete. The Bank of England will continue to work on the design and testing of the banknotes, with the final product expected to be a secure and distinctive series that reflects the diversity of UK wildlife.
Key points
- The Bank of England has chosen four native UK species to feature on its next banknote series.
- The selection was made after a public consultation that attracted nearly half a million respondents.
- The new banknote series is expected to be rolled out over the next few years.
