Bank of England Seeks Public Input on Animal Designs for New Banknotes
Over 400,000 votes have been cast as the Bank of England consults the public on replacing historical figures with a nature theme on its banknotes.
The Bank of England has received more than 400,000 public votes in its consultation to decide which animals will be featured on future British banknotes. The initiative, part of a plan to introduce a nature theme across the £5, £10, £20, and £50 notes, has seen a high level of public engagement, according to Victoria Cleland, chief cashier at the Bank of England.
The consultation, which allows the public to vote for animals across three categories—mammals and birds, alongside amphibians/insects and fish—is scheduled to close on July 3. Each category features a shortlist of six animals. Cleland stated that the volume of participation has exceeded previous banknote design consultations, indicating a strong public connection to the chosen theme.
While the move to a wildlife theme has drawn some criticism for replacing historical figures like Winston Churchill and Jane Austen, Cleland emphasized that the public overwhelmingly favored a nature theme when previously surveyed. She highlighted the importance of public engagement with the currency, as the notes are produced for public use.
Beyond aesthetic considerations, the redesign also serves a practical purpose: enhancing security features to combat counterfeiting. By changing the imagery, the bank can incorporate updated anti-counterfeiting technology. Cleland noted that varied designs featuring different animal types, such as a sea creature, a bird, and a mammal, along with distinct backgrounds and visual elements representing movement, will help users more easily distinguish between denominations and draw attention to security features.
The shortlisted animals include:
Mammals: Bottlenose dolphin, Brown hare, European hedgehog, Grey seal, Pine marten, and Red fox.
Birds: Atlantic puffin, Barn owl, Common kingfisher, Eurasian curlew, Great spotted woodpecker, and White-tailed eagle.
Amphibians, insects, and fish: Atlantic salmon, Basking shark, Buff-tailed bumblebee, Common frog, Emperor dragonfly, and Marsh fritillary butterfly.
An expert panel will advise on the final selection, with Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey making the ultimate decision based on the public's feedback. The results of the consultation are expected to be announced at the end of 2026. The entire process, from design to printing, is a multi-year endeavor aimed at ensuring the new banknotes are high-quality, durable, accessible, and feature advanced anti-counterfeiting measures.