Iconic England

Could we see Big Ben, fish and chips, the Tower of London, or Stonehenge on future British bank notes? The Bank of England might be moving away from featuring historical figures like Winston Churchill and Jane Austen on its paper currency. The country has depicted famous Brits on its notes since 1970. It started with William Shakespeare, who became the first person other than the monarch to be pictured. Now, it is opening the door to other possibilities.

The public will be invited to suggest ideas for themes or for people they would like to see included on England’s paper currency. Possible new themes include landmarks, nature, sports, culture, and technology. Living people, apart from the monarch, will remain excluded.

The Bank of England’s Chief Cashier Victoria Cleland says, “Bank notes are more than just an important means of payment — they serve as a symbolic representation of our collective national identity and an opportunity to celebrate the UK. I am really keen to hear what themes the public would like to see represented on the next series of notes.”