Bank of England reveals new £20 note featuring artist Turner

Written by Alex Hamilton
11th October 2019

The Bank of England (BoE) has revealed the new design of its £20 banknote, due to be released in February 2020 and which honours the renowned British painter, JMW Turner.

The note features Turner and one of his most famous works

The new polymer note will be the first to utilise two transparent windows and will feature two-colour foil, which the BoE says makes it the most secure note yet released.

A design on the reverse of the note features a self-portrait from Turner and a recreation of one of his most famous works, The Fighting Temeraire.

“Our banknotes celebrate the UK’s heritage, salute its culture, and testify to the achievements of its most notable individuals,” says BoE governor Mark Carney. “So it is with the new £20 banknote, featuring JMW Turner.

“Turner’s contribution to art extends well beyond his favourite stretch of shoreline. Turner’s painting was transformative, his influence spanned lifetimes, and his legacy endures today. The new £20 note celebrates Turner, his art and his legacy in all their radiant, colourful, evocative glory.”

The £20 note will be the first to feature the signature of Sarah John, the BoE’s chief cashier.

She said: “Our polymer notes are much harder to counterfeit and, with the £20 being our most common note, this marks a big step forward in our fight against counterfeiting. I hope the public will look forward to spending their new Turner £20s from February next year.”

The polymer £20 note will join the Churchill £5 and the Austen £10. A new £50 note, featuring Alan Turing, will follow in 2021.

According to the BoE, the UK public will begin to see the new £20 from 20 February next year as the notes leave cash centres around the country and enter general circulation.

People can continue to spend paper £20 notes as usual and these will be gradually withdrawn as they are banked by retailers and the public.

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