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British wildlife shortlisted for new banknotes
The Bank of England has unveiled 18 animals, birds, and insects as potential designs for the next series of £5, £10, £20, and £50 notes, inviting the public to vote on their favorites.
Public consultation opens
The selection process allows people to choose up to six species from the shortlist, with voting open until 3 July. The final decision, however, will be made by Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey, who may not necessarily pick the most popular options.
Victoria Cleland, the Bank's chief cashier, encouraged public participation, stating, "The shortlisted animals demonstrate the rich variety of wildlife we have to celebrate in the UK."
Categories and contenders
The shortlist is divided into three categories:
Mammals
- Bottlenose dolphin
- Brown hare
- European hedgehog
- Grey seal
- Pine marten
- Red fox
Birds
- Atlantic puffin
- Barn owl
- Common kingfisher
- Eurasian curlew
- Great spotted woodpecker
- White-tailed eagle
Amphibians, insects, and fish
- Atlantic salmon
- Basking shark
- Buff-tailed bumblebee
- Common frog
- Emperor dragonfly
- Marsh fritillary butterfly
The shortlist was curated by a panel of wildlife experts, including filmmakers Gordon Buchanan and Miranda Krestovnikoff, alongside academics and conservationists.
Political backlash over historical figures' removal
The decision to replace historical figures-such as Sir Winston Churchill-with wildlife sparked criticism from political leaders earlier this year. Reform leader Nigel Farage remarked, "They propose we replace people like him with a picture of a beaver," though the beaver did not make the final shortlist.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called the timing "a worse time to do this with a war waging in Europe," while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch labeled it "a silly thing to do."
The Bank of England clarified that the change aims to enhance security and reduce counterfeiting, necessitating periodic updates to banknote designs.
"I never thought the image of my grandfather on the fiver was going to go on forever," said Churchill's granddaughter, Emma Soames. She added that a "very brave and courageous animal" would be a fitting replacement.
Emma Soames, BBC interview
Wildlife on currency: a UK tradition
While the Bank of England's notes have historically featured prominent figures, wildlife already appears on currency issued by other UK banks, such as the Royal Bank of Scotland's notes depicting mackerel, otters, red squirrels, and ospreys.
The new series will retain the monarch's portrait but will mark the first time since 1970 that the reverse side does not include notable historical figures.
