What image would you add to a UK bank note?
Poll: Vote on my favourite UK images.
What image would you add to a UK bank note?
The Bank of England is inviting the public to help choose a theme for the next series of UK banknotes.
UK banknotes have celebrated notable historical figures since 1970, when William Shakespeare became the first person other than the monarch to feature on a banknote.
The chosen theme, or themes, will feature across all of the next denominations the Bank issues (£5, £10, £20, £50) - and will still include the portrait of the monarch.
This marks the first major banknote redesign since 2016. Six proposed themes include historical figures, architecture, arts and culture, major events, innovation, and nature.
The public can also suggest their own ideas.
The consultation is open until 31 July 2025, with designs expected to take several years to develop.
This is your chance to shape how UK currency reflects national identity, heritage, and innovation.
To participate, visit the Bank of England’s website and submit your feedback through the online form.
Who decides what goes on a bank note?
Cash timeline
Before you take part in a poll of my UK images short list - one option for each country in the United Kingdom (scroll down for the poll) -here’s a quick timeline on cash…..
640 BC – The First Coins
Where? Lydia (modern Turkey)
Made of: Electrum (natural gold/silver mix)
Why? Standardized value for trade
806 – Paper Money in China
Introduced by: Emperor Hien Tsung
Reason: Copper coin shortage
Outcome: Overprinting led to inflation and eventual abandonment (by 1455)
1661 – First European Banknotes
Who? Johan Palmstruch, Sweden
What? Credit notes issued by banks
Result: Over-issuance caused collapse; Palmstruch was jailed
1700s+ – Rise of Central Banks
Public trust shifted from private banks to national authorities
UK suspended gold/silver redemption: 1797–1821
Banknotes gained power as official currency
Sterling Evolution
1078: “Sterilensis” first mentioned
1560: Queen Elizabeth I standardizes the pound (373g of silver)
1971: Decimalisation – 100 new pence = £1
What image would you like on a future UK bank note?
Take part in a poll of my favourite images - one for each country in the United Kingdom.
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