Cheerio, Churchill

As one news outlet put it, British bank notes will soon be saying, “Goodbye Winston Churchill, hello beavers.” The Bank of England has announced that native wildlife will replace historical figures on its next series of issues, and the public will get to vote on which animals will be featured. 

Local critters already appear on bank notes in the United Kingdom, with mackerel, otters, red squirrels, and osprey featured on notes issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland—and people enjoy them. In the 44,000 responses the Bank of England received as part of a public consultation and focus groups, nature was the most popular theme. Sixty percent of respondents chose it, ahead of architecture and landmarks (56 percent); historical figures (38 percent); arts, culture, and sports (30 percent); innovation (23 percent); and noteworthy milestones (19 percent). 

Out with the People

The monarch has appeared on the face of Bank of England notes since 1960 and will continue to do so in the future. Images of historical figures, starting with William Shakespeare, were first highlighted on the back a decade later. The current series of circulating notes depicts Sir Winston Churchill (£5), Jane Austen (£10), JMW Turner (£20), and Alan Turing (£50). In 2013 the bank faced controversy caused by the absence of women on its notes (apart from Queen Elizabeth II). The switch to wildlife avoids further friction regarding who should or shouldn’t receive polymer recognition.

“The key driver for introducing a new bank note series is always to increase counterfeit resilience, but it also provides an opportunity to celebrate different aspects of the UK,” says the bank’s chief cashier, Victoria Cleland, whose signature appears on notes. “Nature is a great choice from a bank note authentication perspective and means we can showcase the UK’s rich and varied wildlife on the next series.” 

A Public Vote

A panel of experts will draw up a wildlife shortlist to put before the public this summer. The panel is made up of wildlife filmmakers and presenters Gordon Buchanan, Miranda Krestovnikoff, and Nadeem Perera, alongside Ulster Wildlife’s Katy Bell, and academics Steve Ormerod and Dawn Scott. “The wildlife of the UK is not separate from our culture,” says Perera. “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.” 

The new notes may also incorporate other elements from nature, such as plants and landscapes, to complete the design. The final decision for the motifs rests with the bank’s governor.