New Designs for British Banknotes
Collectors Take Note: The Next Series Could Be Unlike Anything We’ve Seen
A sea-blue dolphin glides across a £10 note. A golden robin rests beneath the Sycamore Gap tree. The Angel of the North rises above an imagined skyline. These aren’t scenes from a gallery—they’re public design ideas for the Bank of England’s next generation of banknotes.
For collectors, this moment is monumental. We’re witnessing the potential birth of a radically different design era, and the public—not just the policymakers—are shaping it.




A Redesign 50 Years in the Making
The Bank of England is preparing to launch its first major overhaul of banknotes in half a century. Gone may be the days of solemn black-and-white portraits. In their place? Themed designs that reflect the soul of modern Britain—from innovation to nature, arts to architecture, and key events to quirky folklore.

The current public consultation invited suggestions on these themes and opened the creative floodgates. Thousands of responses poured in. And interestingly, the loudest and most imaginative voices have come from a surprising corner of society…
Young Voices, Big Ideas: A New Generation of Designers?
Despite the stereotype that younger people are all-digital and cash-averse, they’ve been leading the charge in this creative movement. Just a day after the consultation launched, over 2,000 suggestions were submitted—many from school-aged contributors and Gen Z voices.
From pop-culture nods to local heroes, steam engines to shipwrecks, the breadth of ideas is stunning. These younger contributors are proving that currency still matters as a cultural canvas, even if they’re more likely to tap a phone than crack open a wallet.
It’s a powerful sign: the next generation of collectors is already here—and they care deeply about heritage, design, and national identity.

What Could the New Notes Feature?
The Bank’s consultation focused on six core themes—but also welcomed fresh thinking from the public. The final selection rests with the Bank’s governor, but the shortlist includes:
- Nature: Plants, wildlife, rivers, coastal scenes
- Innovation: Scientific discoveries, technology, and pioneers
- Architecture & Landmarks: Bridges, castles, monuments
- Arts, Culture & Sport: Music, literature, cinema, culinary icons
- Notable Events & Movements: Civil rights, major historical milestones
- Historical Figures: A tradition that could soon be secondary
As with the monarch’s image (which will remain), some traditions endure—but everything else is wide open for reimagining.
What This Means for Collectors

If you’re a banknote collector, this is not the time to sit on the sidelines. Here’s why:
🔥 A New Type of Collectible
The next series may represent a break from 50 years of tradition. The first runs of these new designs—especially if they feature experimental or unexpected imagery—could become highly collectible. Think early polymer notes or misprints: short-run notes tend to skyrocket in value.
📚 Widening the Narrative
This isn’t just about faces and dates anymore. The new themes open up whole new collecting categories: nature notes, engineering-themed notes, folklore sets, and more.
🧑🎨 A Role for Young Collectors
For those nurturing young collectors, this is a fantastic gateway. The sheer number of students and young adults participating shows a growing cultural interest. What better time to bring a new generation into the fold?
Final Chance to Contribute: Consultation Closes 31 July
If you have a vision—whether as a collector, designer, or citizen—you have until 11:59 pm on 31 July 2025 to submit your idea. Whether it’s a theme suggestion or an original concept, it could influence history… and maybe even feature on a note one day.
Submit online or by post via the Bank of England’s official consultation page.
Your Turn: What Would You Choose?
We want to know:
- What themes or icons would you love to see?
- Are there coin and note pairings that could tell a bigger story?
- What overlooked parts of British life deserve a place on a note?
Drop your ideas in the comments. Let’s celebrate the creativity and curiosity that continue to make collecting such a rich and rewarding pursuit.