Join more than 165,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with the latest financial news, insights and expert analysis to help you understand what really matters when it comes to your finances.
You are now subscribed
Your newsletter sign-up was successful
Want to add more newsletters?
An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Bank of England releases shortlist of animals that could feature on new banknotes
The Bank of England is inviting the public to have their say on which animals from a list of 18 should feature on the next series of banknotes.
Britons are being asked to cast their votes on which animals should be featured on the new series of banknotes.
The Bank of England has launched a consultation asking people to choose from a shortlist of mammals, birds, amphibians, insects and fish for the design of new notes entering circulation in the future.
Victoria Cleland, Bank of England chief cashier, said: “I very much hope the public will enjoy engaging in our consultation to choose the animals to feature on our next series of banknotes. The shortlisted animals demonstrate the rich variety of wildlife we have to celebrate in the UK.”
Try 6 free issues of MoneyWeek today
Get unparalleled financial insight, analysis and expert opinion you can profit from.
Sign up for MoneyWeek’s free twice-daily newsletter.
Join more than 165,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with latest financial news, insights and expert analysis to help you understand what really matters when it comes to your finances.
Join more than 165,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with latest financial news, insights and expert analysis to help you understand what really matters when it comes to your finances.
The public have until the end of 3 July to cast their votes, which can be done via an online form available from the Bank of England’s website or by post.
Only the creatures on the 18-animal shortlist can feature on the new series of banknotes.
While members of the public have a say in which ones are picked, Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey will make the final decision.
The Bank of England says this is because each denomination of banknote must be distinguishable from the other so four distinct animals must, ultimately, be chosen.
The central bank is announcing what animals will feature on the banknotes before the end of 2026.
It was confirmed animals would be the central theme of the new notes, replacing historical figures Winston Churchill, Jane Austen, J.M.W. Turner and Alan Turing, in March 2026.
Which UK animals are on the shortlist?
There are three categories, and the public can select up to two examples from each category.
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Mammals
Birds
Amphibians, insects and fish
bottlenose dolphin
Atlantic puffin
Atlantic salmon
brown hare
barn owl
basking shark
European hedgehog
common kingfisher
buff-tailed bumblebee
grey seal
Eurasian curlew
common frog
pine marten
great spotted woodpecker
Emperor dragonfly
red fox
white-tailed eagle
marsh fritillary butterfly
Credit: Bank of England
Even once the animals for the new banknotes have been decided, it will still be a few years until they appear in your wallet.
They will start being phased in “in a number of years”, although the Bank of England hasn’t confirmed exactly when they will start entering circulation.
Why is the Bank of England changing banknotes?
The Bank of England has previously said it regularly reviews the design of banknotes, but one of the bank’s main drivers for the unveiling of new notes is to create currency which is harder to counterfeit, incorporating the latest technology.
The Bank of England said designing, testing and printing new notes is a “multi-year” process.
What other new banknotes have entered circulation in recent years?
The ascension to the throne of King Charles III in 2022 led to the production of a host of new banknotes featuring the monarch’s face.
But while the new notes have the King’s face on one side instead of the late Queen Elizabeth II, the flip sides still retain their old designs.
The £5 note was circulated with former prime minister Winston Churchill on the reverse side while the £20 note was printed with the artist J. M. W. Turner on one side.
Some of these new notes have sold for thousands of pounds since being printed as they were some of the first that entered circulation.
Join more than 165,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with the latest financial news, insights and expert analysis to help you understand what really matters when it comes to your finances.
