United Kingdom Banknotes Catalog
The history of banknotes in the United Kingdom is fascinating and reflects the economic and cultural evolution of the country. From its earliest issues to modern polymer banknotes, British paper money has undergone numerous changes over the centuries.
Current banknotes in circulation
Currently, the United Kingdom uses polymer banknotes in denominations of £5, £10, £20 and £50. These bills, phased in since 2016, feature advanced security features and are more durable than their paper predecessors. Each bill pays tribute to a British historical figure, such as Winston Churchill on the £5 bill and Jane Austen on the £10 note.
Vintage banknotes and milestones in British banknote design
The first British banknotes were issued by the Bank of England in 1694, initially as handwritten promissory notes. An important milestone was the introduction of the "White Five Pound Note" in 1793, the first serially printed banknote. During World War II, the United Kingdom implemented the emergency £1 bill, known as the "ploughman", to cope with coin shortages. In 1960, the first modern banknote with a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II was introduced, marking the beginning of a new era in British banknote design.
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Flag | |
| Coin | Pound sterling (GBP) |
| 1€ | 0,83£ |
| Continent | Europa |
| Capital city | London |
| ISO2 | GB |
| ISO3 | GBR |
| Catalogued banknotes | 24 |
If you are a collector, you can create your own collection and add your United Kingdom banknotes, generate your own free pdf catalog from your control panel thanks to our complete database and use all our banknote management tools. In addition, once entered you can start exchanges with collectors from all over the world easily and for free. There are no limits at Foronum!
Valuable banknotes
The most valuable United Kingdom banknotes sought after by collectors are the following:
Old United Kingdom banknotes
You can consult other banknotes related to United Kingdom, these catalogs are usually country history: former countries, unifications, independence provinces, colonies, etc.
- Alderney (Pound sterling)
- British East Africa
- British West Africa
- Gough Island
- Islas Caimán
- Lundy
- Saint Helena (Saint Helena pound )
- Saint Helena and Ascencion (Saint Helena pound )
- Straits Settlements
- Tristan da Cunha (Libra esterlina)
Banknote Catalog
5 Pounds Duke of Wellington
10 pounds Jane Austen
10 Pounds Florence Nightingale
1 Pound Elizabeth II
20 Pounds Adam Smith
5 Pounds Elizabeth Fry
10 Pounds Charles Dickens
50 Pounds Matthew Boulton & James Watt
20 Pounds Sir Edward Elgar
20 Pounds Michael Faraday
5 Pounds
1 Pound
10 Pounds Charles Darwin
1 Pound Elizabeth II
10 Pounds Charles Dickens
5 Pounds Winston Churchill
10 Shillings
1 Pound
5 Pounds
5 Pounds George Stephenson
