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A selection of eighteen different species from the animal, bird, and insect kingdoms has been shortlisted to potentially feature on upcoming Bank of England banknotes, inviting public participation to help decide which will be chosen. This initiative aims to replace the historical figures traditionally portrayed on currency with various British wildlife, prompting people to weigh in on the future designs.
The creatures shortlisted represent a diverse array of wildlife, including well-known species such as the kingfisher and the common frog. Each new note—ranging from £5 up to £50—will display a single animal or bird, with voting open for the public to pick up to two favorites within three distinct categories: mammals, birds, and a group consisting of amphibians, insects, and fish. Among mammals, options include the bottlenose dolphin, brown hare, European hedgehog, grey seal, pine marten, and red fox. The bird selection features the Atlantic puffin, barn owl, common kingfisher, Eurasian curlew, great spotted woodpecker, and white-tailed eagle. Representatives for amphibians, insects, and fish encompass the Atlantic salmon, basking shark, buff-tailed bumblebee, common frog, emperor dragonfly, and marsh fritillary butterfly.
This public consultation follows controversy earlier in the year when the plan to replace historical figures, notably Sir Winston Churchill, met criticism from various political leaders. Reform leader Nigel Farage, for example, expressed disapproval at the suggested replacement of figures like Churchill with animals—citing a beaver, which later did not make the shortlist. Similarly, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey described the timing as poor given ongoing conflicts in Europe, while the Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called the change “a silly thing to do.” The Bank of England has clarified that the redesign is primarily motivated by the need to combat counterfeiting, explaining that all images on notes must eventually be refreshed.
The decision-making panel selecting the shortlisted species includes wildlife experts such as filmmakers Gordon Buchanan, Miranda Krestovnikoff, and Nadeem Perera, alongside Ulster Wildlife’s Katy Bell and academics Steve Ormerod and Dawn Scott. Despite public voting determining preferences, the final choice of animals to appear on the banknotes rests with Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey. The redesign process, which includes design, testing, and printing, is expected to take several years before the new notes enter circulation. Notably, while portraits of the monarch and symbols representing the home nations will continue to appear, this series will mark the first time since 1970 that historical figures will no longer be featured on the reverse side of UK banknotes.
Reactions from family members connected to those removed from the banknotes have also surfaced. Emma Soames, granddaughter of Winston Churchill, told the BBC she never assumed Churchill’s image on the five-pound note would remain indefinitely. When asked about the possibility of a badger taking his place—a species which also did not make the final shortlist—she remarked, “Well, lucky badger or lucky grandpapa,” adding that any replacement should be “a very brave and courageous animal.” Meanwhile, the RSPCA advocated for the recognition of certain “under-appreciated” animals like rats, pigeons, foxes, and gulls, although the fox is the only one among those to appear on the shortlist
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