Polymer banknotes

The Bank of England has been issuing banknotes for over 300 years. During that time, both the notes themselves and their role in society have undergone continual change. From today's perspective, it is commonly accepted that a note that costs a few pence to produce is worth five, ten, twenty or fifty pounds.

Maintaining confidence in the currency is a key role of the Bank of England and one which is essential to the proper functioning of the economy.

Moving to Polymer Banknotes

The next £5, £10 and £20 banknotes will be printed on polymer. The new £5 note will be issued in September 2016, the £10 note will be issued in 2017 and the £20 note by 2020.

Current Banknotes

There are currently four different denominations of Bank of England notes in circulation.

Denomination	Note Series	Character on back of note	Date issued
£5	E (variant)	Elizabeth Fry	21.05.2002
£10	E (variant)	Charles Darwin	07.11.2000
£20	F	Adam Smith	13.03.2007
£50	F	Matthew Boulton and James Watt	02.11.2011