The Bank of England has revealed a shortlist of native UK wildlife that could appear on future banknotes, replacing historical figures. The public is invited to share their preferences in a consultation launched on Wednesday.
Shortlisted Animals
The shortlist includes mammals such as the bottlenose dolphin, brown hare, European hedgehog, grey seal, pine marten, and red fox. Birds under consideration are the Atlantic puffin, barn owl, common kingfisher, Eurasian curlew, great spotted woodpecker, and white-tailed eagle. Among amphibians, insects, and fish, the Atlantic salmon, basking shark, buff-tailed bumblebee, common frog, emperor dragonfly, and marsh fritillary butterfly are featured.
Consultation Details
The consultation runs until 11:59 PM on July 3. Participants can select up to two animals from each of three categories. The Bank emphasises that only animals on the shortlist can be chosen, and no alternative nominations will be accepted. Each denomination—£5, £10, £20, and £50—will feature a distinct animal, with the final decision made by Governor Andrew Bailey by the end of 2026.
Design and Security
The new notes will incorporate advanced anti-counterfeiting technology and maintain a portrait of the monarch. They will also represent the home nations. The current series, featuring Sir Winston Churchill, Jane Austen, JMW Turner, and Alan Turing, has been in circulation since 2016. Despite the rise of digital payments, cash remains preferred by about one in seven people, with £91.5 billion in circulation as of February 2026.
Victoria Cleland, chief cashier, expressed hope that the public will engage in the selection process, highlighting the rich diversity of UK wildlife. The new series is expected to launch after a multi-year design and testing phase.
