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The secrets hidden in Britain’s most secure banknote yet
Whether you love them or hate them, it’s fair to say that when the Bank of England issued the very first polymer banknotes, UK currency was revolutionised. As well as refreshing the designs of the notes, these polymer versions were considered a cleaner, safer and stronger alternative.
In 2016 it was the £5 that received the first makeover, and Winston Churchill was selected to feature on the note. Jane Austen soon followed on the £10 note and now, as chosen by the British public, renowned artist JMW Turner graces the new £20 polymer note.
But it’s not only the design that makes this note special. You see, the Bank of England have described this note as the most secure banknote yet. So, I’m of course curious to see what special security features have been worked into the design of our newest banknote…
Britain’s most secure banknote
Before the revolutionary polymer £20 came along, there were over 2 billion £20 paper notes in circulation. The sheer volume of them made the £20 note Britain’s most used, and consequently most forged, banknote.
So it’s understandable that the need to make it difficult to counterfeit was at the forefront of the designer’s mind! The result? A whole host of special features that make it harder to forge and stand out from other notes in circulation.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the security features incorporated into the design:
- Transparent windows – the foil in the large see-through window is blue and gold on the front, and silver on the back. Plus, there’s a second, smaller window in the bottom corner.
- Changing holograms – the hologram beneath the large clear pane will alternate between reading ‘Twenty’ and ‘Pounds’ depending on what way you tilt the note.
- The Queen’s portrait in the transparent window – the Queen’s portrait is printed on the window with ‘£20 Bank of England’ printed twice around the edge.
- Foil patches – a silver foil patch contains a 3D image of the coronation crown. There is a second purple foil patch which contains the letter ‘T’.
- Ultra-violet technology – under UV light, the number ’20’ appears in bright red and green on the front of the note, against a duller background.
- Raised dots – you’ll find three clusters of raised dots in the top left hand corner. This tactile feature helps blind and partially sighted people identify the value of the note.
JMW Turner design
When choosing the design for the £20 note, the Bank of England were spoilt for choice. They received over 29,000 nominations submitted by the general public. And the choice to select JMW Turner makes him the first British artist to ever feature on a UK banknote.
The note itself features Turner’s 1799 self-portrait, which is currently housed in the Tate Modern in London. And behind this you’ll notice one of his most recognisable works – The Fighting Temeraire. This famous painting is a tribute to the ship that played a pivotal role in in Nelson’s victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
The final nod to Turner in the design comes from the quote “light is therefore colour”, alongside the signature taken from his will. The quote is taken from a lecture Turner gave in 1818 and is a reference to his innovative use of light, shade, colour and tone.
What do you think about the new £20 Polymer note? Let us know in the comments!
If you’re interested…
If you’re looking for a way to own this significant, revolutionary piece of British currency, then look no further than the UK 2020 £20 Polymer Banknote DateStamp™ issue. Each DateStamp™ issue has been postmarked by Royal Mail with the note’s first day of release – 20th February 2020 – forever ensuring its provenance.
First issues are always valued by collectors and by owning the DateStamp™ issue you will be one of just 2,500 collectors able to forever mark the date the new £20 polymer banknote entered circulation. We have a limited number available, so click here to find out more >>
First Look: New coins issued to mark the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain…
*** BRAND NEW Battle of Britain coins – on sale now ***
This year marks the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain. Fought over British skies during 1940, the battle was a turning point in WWII and ultimately saved Britain from German invasion.
In 1940, a terrifying dark shadow descended over Europe. The relentless advance of Hitler forces overwhelmed everything in their path and the world suddenly became very dark. Following the evacuation of French and British soldiers from Dunkirk and the subsequent French surrender on 22nd June 1940, Hitler believed that WWII was practically over and that Britain would quickly come to terms. However, even with a seemingly unstoppable enemy on the doorstep, Winston Churchill stepped up to become Britain’s wartime leader and refused to surrender.
On 10th July 1940 a battle was fought – and won – by a courageous few; arguably one of the crucial turning points that led to British Victory in WWII.
The Battle of Britain remains one of the truly great chapters in our history, and to mark 80 years since that momentous battle, a brand new range of commemoratives have been issued. Whether you’re looking for the new centrepiece for your collection, you’re an avid collector, a Military enthusiast or you’re looking for the perfect tribute, there’s bound to be something within the range for you.
Click here to view the 2020 Battle of Britain 80th Anniversary range >>
Or, find out more about each of the stunning coins we have available below….
JUST 150 collectors can own this BRAND NEW Battle of Britain Silver 5oz Coin
Struck in five ounces of 925/1000 solid silver, this coin barely fits in the palm of your hand. Not only is the size and weight impressive – but so is its engraving.
Approved by Her Majesty the Queen, the reverse design has been created by renowned sculptor Mike Guilfoyle and takes inspiration from an old war-time poster synonymous with the Battle of Britain. The design features three pilots in front of an aircraft with the text ‘The Battle of Britain 1940-2020’ to honour the heroic efforts of the RAF in changing the course of WWII and leading us to victory.
Click here to secure this Silver 5oz Coin for your collection >>
Battle of Britain 80th Anniversary Gold Proof Sovereign – 15 times RARER than the UK’s recent Gold Proof Sovereign!
Over the years, the popularity of various coins have come and gone. But none have stayed as unrivalled as the Gold Sovereign. Quite simply, the Sovereign is without a doubt the world’s premier Gold Coin. Struck from 22 Carat Gold to the exact same specification since 1817, it epitomises all that is British.
Issued in recognition of the historic Battle of Britain 80th Anniversary, this extremely limited Isle of Man Gold Proof Sovereign is limited to just 495 pieces. This is more than 15 times RARER than the UK’s recent Gold Proof Sovereign. 495 coins is a tiny edition limit for a gold Sovereign-specification coin such as this.
This brand new British Isles Sovereign is the most important gold coin you can find right now. Click here to secure one for yourself >>
JUST 495 Battle of Britain 80th Anniversary Gold Proof Pennies Authorised
To mark such a historic anniversary, a special strike of 495 Solid Gold Pennies have been authorised. The release of a Gold Penny is an extremely rare event and one that collectors will look out for, especially as they are only issued to mark the most important anniversaries and are always severely limited. In fact, this is the most limited issue for some time.
The exquisite design features three Spitfire silhouettes engraved on to the coin to signify the bravery of all the RAF pilots who defended our skies In the summer of 1940. It has been struck in Solid Gold to the standard United Kingdom Penny diameter and finished in the collectors preferred finish, Proof.
Click here to secure one for you collection now >>
The Limited Edition Battle of Britain 80th Anniversary Spitfire Silver Proof £5
The £5 coin is the single most prestigious coin issued across the British Isles, reserved for the most important commemorations of the year. The Battle of Britain anniversary is certainly no exception deserving of only the very finest commemorative £5 coin.
The design features the legendary Spitfire with a Union Jack trailing from behind. Also, a notable inclusion to the edge of the design is an excerpt from Winston Churchill’s famous speech ‘So Much, So Many, So Few’, his moving tribute to the brave pilots of the RAF.
The background fittingly displays a ‘V for Victory’ design which has been finished with the unique addition of Spitfire silhouettes.
Only 2,020 coins have been issued worldwide. This unprecedented decision comes as a surprise, especially when you consider the historical significance of this anniversary.
Click here to secure the brand new Silver Proof £5 Coin >>
Officially Licensed RAF Spitfire Gold-plated Coin
This Official RAF Battle of Britain 80th Anniversary Gold-Plated Coin comes highly recommended. Not only is it extremely desirable in its own right, it is a fantastic tribute to the skilled pilots both past and present who have had the honour flying in the RAF. It features a dramatic colour recreation of the legendary Supermarine Spitfire by renowned Airfix artist Adam Tooby.
Featuring 24 carat gold-plating and struck to a flawless Proof finish, this is the perfect Battle of Britian 80th Anniversary commemorative.
Click here to secure your Official Gold-Plated Coin now >>
Please note, extremely high demand is expected for these brand new Battle of Britain Commemorative coins. It is highly advised that you act quickly to secure your favourite pieces from the collection to avoid disappointment.
An unexpected modern rarity: how Covid-19 created one of the rarest US Silver Dollars
As you’re reading this, I hope you are safe and well. As far as I can see, we’re all adapting magnificently to the challenges the current coronavirus pandemic has brought – though between you and me, I’m losing count of the number of Zoom pub quizzes I’ve done!
The need to adapt has hit Mints around the world too. But it’s not all bad news, as to my delight – and I’m sure many collectors will share in this – an unexpected modern rarity has emerged.
You see, the Silver Eagle is the flagship bullion coin of the US, and is widely collected. But now, thanks to the outbreak, it is about to become THE most in-demand coin in the WORLD…
2020(P) Emergency Silver Eagle
Bullion Silver Eagles, which have no mintmark, are normally struck at the US Mint’s West Point Mint in New York. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic the West Point Mint was temporarily shut down, meaning no Silver Eagles could be produced.
Yet demand for Silver Eagle bullion coins exploded as collectors flocked to secure bullion coins, seen as a safe investment haven amidst the economic uncertainty caused by the pandemic.
In an unusual move, and to allay the demand, production of the Silver Eagles was picked up by the Philadelphia Mint. The result being a limited batch of Silver Eagles struck in under two weeks.
Second RAREST Silver Eagle in US history
According to official US Mint documentation dated April 27, 2020, the limited run at the Philadelphia Mint produced JUST 240,000 Silver Eagles.
This may seem like a lot of coins, but let me put that into perspective for you. Millions of bullion Silver Eagles are struck every year – last year over 15 million were minted! In comparison the 2020(P) Emergency Silver Eagle is incredibly scarce.
In fact, it is the second RAREST Silver Eagle coin to ever exist in the 34-year history of the bullion American Silver Eagle series. It is only the 2015(P) issue that is rarer, with a mintage of 79,640.
This makes the 2020(P) Emergency Silver Eagles one of the most limited coins in US history, and instantly catapults it to the top of the must-have list for all collectors…
If you’re interested…
Through my contacts in America, I’m lucky to have been able to bring some of these fascinating coins to the UK. Each one is encapsulated, boxed and certified by the American Numismatic Association Certification Service (ANACS).
But considering how rare this issue is, I don’t expect the limited number I’ve secured to last long. Nor do I expect to be able to secure more – I’m certain the entire edition limit will be snapped up in the US before we know it.
Click here to find out more and secure one for your collection >>
