The all new polymer £10 note
A cock and hen; a Bill and Benner; an Ayrton Senna; a brown beer token; a Darwin; a tenner; a cockle… However you say it, £10 still spends the same in the UK. However, did you know that we’re about to get a brand new note to join the polymer £5 that made such a splash in September 2016?
Allow us to introduce the new note, which will be making its way into wallets and purses in a few short months…
A £10 that’s plastic fantastic
The new £10 will follow the polymer £5 and maintain the plastic sheen that caused so much controversy in 2016. Said to be 15% smaller than the existing £10 the new note is be water resistant, and far tougher than its paper counterpart.
Whose face will it feature?
The current £10 features the portrait of notable biologist and naturalist Charles Darwin. In 2013 it was announced that the new tender would feature Jane Austen, the beloved author of Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Persuasion, Northanger Abbey, Mansfield Park, and Emma. The release of the new note will coincide with the 200th anniversary of Austen’s death, which occurred in 1817. It was fitting, then, that the new note was unveiled at Winchester Cathedral on 18th July 2017; the date and place of her passing. You can view that note here.
What are the £10 note’s features?
The new £10 will have enhanced security features, including a see-through window, finely detailed metallic images, foil patches, and an ultra-violet ‘£10’, as well as holographic details and micro-lettering. The note will also have two clusters of raised dots, which will enable the blind and partially sighted to identify the currency.
In terms of its design, the new note will boast a portrait of the author, an image of Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice, and the quote, “I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading!”, which was spoken by Miss Bingley in the same novel. You will also notice a writing desk in the middle of the note. Finally, there is a picture of Godsmersham Park House, an estate that was owned by Austen’s brother, featured on the note. Look closely; a foil of Winchester Cathedral can be found on the note. Jane Austen was buried at this cathedral following her death.
Will it contain animal fat?
Sorry, veggies and vegans; the Bank of England has confirmed that the new £10 notes will feature tallow, which is made from tendered beef and mutton. However, the polymer pellets used to create these notes contains a minimal amount of tallow.
What else do we need to know?
The new £10 will be joined by a series of limited edition £2, also featuring Jane Austen, which will be circulated by the Royal Mint concurrently. Indeed that coin was released on Tuesday 18th July, and will continue to roll out across the UK as the year progresses. Literary fiends and numismatics (collectors of coins and notes) should keep their eyes peeled.
Important dates for your diary
Don’t get caught out; these are the dates you need to be aware of ahead of the note’s release.
18th July 2017: A special £2 coin bearing Jane Austen’s image was released on Tuesday 18th July to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the author’s death.
14th September 2017: The new polymer £10, featuring beloved author Jane Austen, will enter circulation on 14th September 2014.
Spring 2018: The current £10, which features Charles Darwin, will be withdrawn from circulation sometime next spring. There is currently no date for this action, but we expect to be given three months notice.
Notes that haven’t been exchanged or spent by the spring can be exchanged for face value at any bank on any future date. Many charities will accept withdrawn money. So consider doing a good deed and donating any old £10 notes that you may come across as the deadline draws closer.
So, there you have it. We hope you enjoy spending your new £10 notes as much as you’ve no doubt enjoyed spending their paper counterparts.
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