18 July 2017
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The new £10 polymer banknote
The new polymer £10 banknote was recently launched at Winchester Cathedral, the resting place of author Jane Austen whose portrait appears on the forthcoming note.
The new polymer £10 banknote was recently launched at Winchester Cathedral, the resting place of author Jane Austen whose portrait appears on the forthcoming note.
Set to be entered into circulation on 14 September, the new £10 note was unveiled by Bank of England Governor Mark Carney on the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s death.
The note is printed on polymer and is the first Bank of England banknote with a ‘tactile feature’ to help blind and partially sighted users.
Mark Carney said:
‘Our banknotes serve as repositories of the country’s collective memory, promoting awareness of the United Kingdom’s glorious history and highlighting the contributions of its greatest citizens. The new £10 note celebrates Jane Austen’s work. Austen’s novels have a universal appeal and speak as powerfully today as they did when they were first published. The new £10 will be printed on polymer, making it safer, stronger and cleaner.’
- A see-through window featuring the Queen’s portrait.
- Winchester Cathedral shown in gold foil on the front of the note and silver on the back.
- A quill at the side of the window which changes from purple to orange.
- A hologram which contains the word ‘Ten’ and changes to ‘Pounds’ when the note is tilted.
- A hologram of the coronation crown which appears 3D and multi-coloured when the note is tilted.
- A book-shaped copper foil patch which contains the letter JA.
- Micro-lettering beneath the Queen’s portrait with tiny letters and numbers that are visible under a microscope.
- The words ‘Bank of England’ printed in intaglio (raised ink) along the top of the note.
A statement from the Bank of England confirmed:
‘The new £10 note will be issued on 14 September 2017 and the public will begin to see them in the following days and weeks as the notes leave cash centres around the country and enter general circulation. The public can continue to spend paper £10 notes as usual and these will be gradually withdrawn as they are banked by retailers and the public. Legal tender status of the paper £10 featuring Charles Darwin will be withdrawn in Spring 2018 with the exact date being announced at least three months in advance.’
The design of the new £10 banknote includes:
- The quote – “I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading!” from Pride and Prejudice (Miss Bingley, Chapter XI).
- Portrait of Jane Austen. An engraving by William Home Lizars that was commissioned by her family and based upon an original sketch of Jane Austen drawn by her sister, Cassandra Austen.
- An illustration of Miss Elizabeth Bennet undertaking “The examination of all the letters which Jane had written to her”– from a drawing by Isabel Bishop (1902-1988).
- The image of Godmersham Park. Godmersham was home of Edward Austen Knight, Jane Austen's brother. Jane Austen visited the house often and it is believed that it was the inspiration for a number of her novels.
- Jane Austen’s writing table – the central design in the background is inspired by the 12 sided writing table, and writing quills, used by Jane Austen at Chawton Cottage.
Further details about The New £10 Note can be found on www.thenewten.co.uk
