As mentioned in this BBC report focused on the first Bank of England polymer banknote – a £5 note featuring Sir Winston Churchill which will be issued in 2016.
Banknotes will feature images from all four nations of the UK starting with the new £5 note entering circulation in 2016.
[Timing, eh? – Ed] Eh? From the Bank of England press release
Chief Cashier, Victoria Cleland said:
“The Bank is delighted with the number and breadth of the nominations we have received, and we are very grateful to all those who have engaged with us on this new initiative. The fact that so many visual artists have been put forward by the public underlines the extent of British achievement in the visual arts and reinforces why this field deserves to be recognised on the next £20 note.” [The new £20 note is expected to enter circulation by 2020.]
“During this process, we have repeatedly heard how important banknotes are as a symbol of the United Kingdom. So the Bank is pleased to announce today that after careful consideration future banknote designs, starting with the new polymer £5 note, will explicitly represent all four nations of the UK.”
The design will be released when the new £5 note is unveiled in 2016.
Also from the Bank’s press release
The Bank of England is also announcing today that future banknotes, starting with the £5 polymer note in 2016, will include symbols representing all four of the home nations. The imagery will be taken from the Royal Coat of Arms and the Royal Badge of Wales. This follows discussions with the First Ministers of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. [added emphasis]
[And the deputy?! – Ed] Probably not the deputy…
The Shield from the Royal Coat of Arms was also used in the 2008 redesign of the reverse side of all UK coins.
