Next UK banknotes to feature barn owls, bumblebees, puffins and hedgehogs
The Bank of England has announced that the next generation of UK banknotes will feature native wildlife, including bumblebees, barn owls, puffins, and hedgehogs. These designs were selected through a public consultation process and serve as an anti-counterfeit measure.
Why it matters
This represents a significant cultural shift in national currency design and highlights the importance of public engagement in institutional branding.
The buff-tailed bumblebee. The upgraded imagery on the next £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes is also an anti-counterfeit measure. Photograph: Andrew Fusek Peters/Guardian Community The buff-tailed bumblebee. The upgraded imagery on the next £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes is also an anti-counterfeit measure. Photograph: Andrew Fusek Peters/Guardian Community Bank of England Next UK banknotes to feature barn owls, bumblebees, puffins and hedgehogs Four native species selected after consultation, but which one adorns which note is yet to be decided
Prefer the Guardian on Google Bees, barn owls, puffins and hedgehogs have been picked to feature on the next generation of banknotes, the Bank of England has announced.
The quartet of creatures were selected after a large-scale consultation settled on wild animals as the theme, with members of the public then asked to pick their favourites out of 18 options divided into three categories.
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