This week sees the general release of the new ten pound note here in the UK, replacing the old note which had featured Charles Darwin since the year 2000. This change is only the fifth iteration of the banknote in it’s 258 year history.
The new design features Jane Austin, along with Godmersham Park (the residence of her brother who she visited often, and was the inspiration for a number of her novels) and Jane Austin’s writing desk. The use of Austin on the £10 note will be the first time a female has ever been represented, who isn’t the Queen, on a denomination larger than £5. She will also be the third woman to ever be featured, joining others such as Florence Nightingale, and Elizabeth Fry.
The new banknote is slightly smaller than the old one, and is made of the exact same material as the new Winston Churchill £5 note which was put into general circulation last year. It also keeps the same orange colour as it’s predecessor. The Bank of England has also included a new feature not present on any other previous banknotes to enable the blind and partially sighted to identify the banknote, as evidenced by the raised bumps to the left side of the banknote.
Finally, in addition to being made from new polymer materials, the production process allows the note to have a carbon footprint 8% lower than it’s paper predecessor.
The next note to be released in the UK will be the £20 note, set to be put into general circulation in 2020. This note will replace Adam Smith design with JMW Turner.
Numismatic Exploits 