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See all the banknotes that the Bank of England and HM Treasury have issued and then withdrawn, going back to 1694.
Learn about some of our earliest cheques and banknotes. The Bank of England has produced banknotes since the late 1600s. Our collection shows how these early notes that ‘promised to pay’ developed into the fixed denomination, or value, notes we use today.
Notes were fully printed from 1855. Since 1970, the Bank of England's notes have featured portraits of British historical figures. Of the eight banks authorised to issue sterling notes in the UK, only the Bank of England can issue banknotes in England and Wales, where its notes are legal tender.
There is no deadline to exchange old banknotes with the Bank of England. But it is usually easier and quicker to exchange notes at your own bank or at the Post Office. The Bank of England counter is open Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 3pm (excluding Bank Holidays). Last entry at 2.45pm.
Currently circulating Bank of England notes. [edit] The pound sterling banknotes in current circulation consist of Series G Bank of England notes in denominations of £5, £10, £20 and £50. The obverse of these banknotes issued through 4 June 2024 feature the portrait of Elizabeth II originally introduced in 1990.
Bank of England notes are periodically redesigned and reissued, with the old notes being withdrawn from circulation and destroyed. Each redesign is allocated a "series". Currently the £50 note is "series F" issue whilst the £5, £10 and £20 notes are "series G" issue.
The Bank of England has produced banknotes since the late 1600s. Our collection includes examples of every note we’ve ever made. We also hold artwork by historic banknote designers, machinery and equipment relating to banknote production and examples of counterfeit and imitation notes.
