"A consultation last July found that 60% of the 44,000 responses backed the idea of taking nature as the theme, just in front of architecture and landmarks on 56%, and way ahead of historic figures at a measly 38%. Whether the public would have been quite so keen if they'd known upfront that household pets would be explicitly excluded from possible designs, I'm not so sure."
"In 2024, the International Bank Note Society's prestigious banknote of the year award went to the Bermuda $5 note, which as well as King Charles (it's a British Overseas Territory), featured blue marlin, dolphins, butterflies and rather a lot else. Even in the UK itself, you can find legal tender featuring mackerel, otters and red squirrels, in the form of Royal Bank of Scotland banknotes."
The Bank of England has announced plans to redesign British banknotes by replacing the half-century tradition of featuring historic figures with representations of patriotic British wildlife. A panel of experts will shortlist candidates, the public will vote, and the Bank's governor will make the final selection. A July consultation showed 60% of 44,000 respondents supported nature as the theme, ahead of architecture at 56% and historic figures at only 38%. Household pets are explicitly excluded from consideration. This approach is not unprecedented; Bermuda's 2024 banknote of the year featured King Charles alongside marine life and butterflies. The Royal Bank of Scotland already issues legal tender featuring mackerel, otters, and red squirrels. Despite public backing, the proposal has generated significant controversy among British patriots.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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