Why UK is replacing Winston Churchill, Shakespeare on currency notes
What's the story
The Bank of England has announced plans to replace historical figures on its banknotes with images of wildlife. The decision comes after the bank held a public consultation on banknote imagery last year, where nature emerged as the most popular theme, with 60% of respondents favoring it over architecture (56%), historical figures (38%), and other themes. A panel of experts will create a shortlist of wildlife candidates for the new designs, which are expected to be introduced in few years.
Panel composition
Who's on the expert panel
The expert panel tasked with selecting the wildlife candidates includes wildlife filmmakers and presenters Gordon Buchanan, Miranda Krestovnikoff, and Nadeem Perera. They are joined by Ulster Wildlife's Katy Bell and academics Steve Ormerod and Dawn Scott. "The wildlife of the UK is not separate from our culture. It sits in our football crests, our folklore, our coastlines and our childhoods. Giving it space on something as symbolic as our currency feels both overdue and significant," Perera emphasized.
Design transition
Current banknote designs and controversies
Since 1960, the monarch has appeared on Bank of England notes, and this will continue in the future. Images of historical figures, beginning with William Shakespeare, appeared on the opposite side a decade later. Sir Winston Churchill, Jane Austen, JMW Turner, and Alan Turing are the current crop of circulating notes, in ascending order of note value. The new designs will also likely include other natural elements like plants and landscapes.
Design inspiration
Public voting and international trends
The public will be invited to vote on specific wildlife images from the shortlist in the summer. This follows a similar trend in other countries, such as Bermuda, where nature-themed banknotes won awards for their design. "The key driver for introducing a new banknote series is always to increase counterfeit resilience, but it also provides an opportunity to celebrate different aspects of the UK," Victoria Cleland, chief cashier at the Bank of England, said.