New five pound note: Britain’s first plastic banknote – a five pound note with the face of Sir Winston Churchill has been unveiled by the Bank of England.
According to Governor of the Bank of England Mark Carney the notes which will officially go into circulation in September offer the “most advanced security features yet” due to the polymer’s durable and secure make up.
In an unprecedented move, Carney appearer on the BBC’s One Show to talk about the new five pound note. he brought along several samples that he handed out to other guests including comedians, Josie Lawrence, Gregg Proops and Clive Anderson. Anderson promptly swapped a beaten up Clydsdale paper five pound for his now found treasure. Carney was mildly amused, but would not let Anderson keep the note.
The note, which is printed on a thin plastic film, is a significant move away from the traditional paper notes that have been used across the world and in the United Kingdom for more than 300 years.
Carney went on to say: “Our banknotes are testaments to the outstanding achievements of the nation’s greatest individuals. They are repositories of the United Kingdom’s collective memory. That contribution will continue with the new £5, which brings together the future, in the form of polymer and the most advanced security features yet, and Britain’s glorious history, in the achievements of Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill.”
