Out with Churchill and the great historical figures, in with the animals on the new British banknotes

©Christopher Bill via Unsplash

For over half a century, British banknotes have told the story through the faces of great figures of the past, such as Winston Churchill. Now the UK is about to turn the page. The Bank of England has announced that the next series of banknotes will be dedicated to the country's wildlife, marking both a symbolic and cultural change.

The decision was made as a result of a public consultation in which over 44,000 people took part. The results were clear: some 60% of participants chose nature as their preferred theme, ahead of architecture, culture and historical figures.

Nature as a shared symbol

According to the central bank, the choice of nature and biodiversity is not just aesthetic. Images of animals and natural environments are particularly effective for anti-counterfeiting security, making banknotes harder to counterfeit and more easily recognizable.

But there's another issue at stake: the desire to represent something that belongs to everyone. British wildlife, with its iconic species and landscapes, is seen as a shared heritage, capable of bringing together identity, memory and territory.

Citizens will choose the animals

The process has only just begun. Over the coming months, a panel of experts - including naturalists, academics and extension workers - will draw up a list of candidate species. Only wild, indigenous animals will be considered: no domestic animals, but room for birds, mammals and other species that are symbols of the country.

Over the summer, the public will once again be invited to choose which images will appear on the new £5, £10, £20 and £50 bills. This direct participation makes currency a mirror of collective preferences.

Tradition and innovation on the same bill

Despite this change, certain elements will remain unchanged. The portrait of the current monarch, Charles III, will continue to appear on the front of the bills, maintaining a link with tradition. Behind the scenes, however, the work promises to be long and complex. The development of a new series requires several years of design, testing and production, with the aim of guaranteeing secure, accessible and durable banknotes.

A change that speaks to the present

The decision to replace the great historical figures with animals is not just a matter of graphic design. It's a sign of the times: less individual celebration, more attention to what is shared and alive. At a time when nature is at the heart of the global debate, featuring it on banknotes is tantamount to recognizing its value in everyday life. Not just as a landscape to be protected, but as an integral part of our national identity.

Source : Bank of England

(©GreenMe.it 2026/Managing editor: Selma Keshkire - The Press Junction/Picture: Christopher Bill via Unsplash)