From puffins to pine martens, 18 UK animal species are in the running to appear on the next series of Bank of England banknotes.
The shortlist, unveiled today (4th June), marks the next stage in a public consultation that found overwhelming support for nature-themed currency. Voters will now have a month to help choose the four animals that will ultimately feature on the £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes.
The final list was compiled by a panel of wildlife experts following last year’s consultation, which attracted more than 44,000 responses.
The public were asked to choose from six proposed themes, including historical figures, architecture and landmarks, arts and culture, innovation and notable milestones.
Nature proved the most popular choice, with 60% of respondents selecting it as one of their preferred themes. Architecture and landmarks came second with 56% support, followed by notable historical figures on 38%. Arts, culture and sport received 30%, innovation 23% and noteworthy milestones 19%.
The move marks another chapter in the evolution of Bank of England banknotes. Historical figures first appeared on notes in 1970, while the current polymer G Series, issued between 2016 and 2021, features Winston Churchill on the £5 note, Jane Austen on the £10, JMW Turner on the £20 and Alan Turing on the £50.
Although cash use has declined in recent years, the Bank says it remains the preferred payment method for around 15% of people and continues to play an important role in everyday transactions. Officials said new designs help ensure the public can continue to use cash with confidence while reflecting themes that resonate with people across the UK.
Katy Bell, Bank of England wildlife panellist and senior conservation officer at Ulster Wildlife, said: ‘From marine, river and woodland nature to familiar farmland and urban wildlife, we’re delighted that the shortlist features a number of much-loved species from across the UK. It was no tall order deciding on which species to include, but it’s incredibly heartening to know that the public wish to see nature feature on our bank notes for years to come.
‘However, we mustn’t forget that many of these species are facing huge pressures from climate change, habitat loss and land management changes. As a nation of nature lovers, we all have a role to play in reversing the declines of wildlife – whether that’s creating nature-friendly gardens and greenspaces, helping to restore habitats on land and at sea, or advocating for nature’s protection right across the UK. Together, let’s make this the moment we all invest in nature.’
The 18 animals that have made the list are:
- Atlantic salmon
- barn owl
- basking shark
- bottlenose dolphin
- brown hare
- buff-tailed bumblebee
- common frog
- curlew
- emperor dragonfly
- fox
- great spotted woodpecker
- grey seal
- hedgehog
- kingfisher
- marsh fritillary butterfly
- pine marten
- white-tailed eagle
- puffin
subject © Nick Upton / 2020 Vision