The Bank of England is set to replace prominent historical figures on its banknotes with a selection of British wildlife. The decision, stemming from a public consultation that garnered nearly half a million responses, will see animals such as puffins, owls, bumblebees, and hedgehogs adorning the new series of currency.
This marks a significant departure from a tradition dating back to 1970, which featured historical figures, beginning with William Shakespeare. The new animal-themed notes are expected to be introduced over the next few years. The current series features Winston Churchill on the £5 note, Jane Austen on the £10, JMW Turner on the £20, and Alan Turing on the £50 note.
The public consultation received 478,531 responses, with respondents making over 2.5 million selections from a shortlist of 18 animals. The buff-tailed bumblebee emerged as the most popular choice with 360,399 votes, followed by the European hedgehog (256,665) and the barn owl (270,596). The Atlantic puffin, despite ranking sixth in votes with 183,137, was chosen by Bank officials to represent the British coastline and add variety to the series. This selection meant that the red fox and the common kingfisher, which received more votes, were not included.
The Bank of England stated that the design, testing, and printing process for the new banknotes will take several years to ensure high quality, resilience, and accessibility. Chief cashier Victoria Cleland highlighted the extensive public engagement, emphasizing that cash remains a relevant form of payment for many.
The move has drawn criticism, with some describing it as "erasing our history." This follows previous controversies regarding banknote designs, including past campaigns for greater female representation and the Bank's decision in 2021 to remove artwork and busts connected to the slave trade from its historical displays.