Puffin and bumblebee among 18 creatures shortlisted to feature on banknotes
The Bank of England has shortlisted 18 animals, birds and insects for future banknotes, and the public can vote for favourites until 3 July.
Intelligence analysis by GPT-5.4 Mini
A public consultation is under way on which British wildlife should appear on the next series of Bank of England notes. The shortlist spans mammals, birds, and amphibians, insects and fish, while the final choice will still rest with the Bank’s chief cashier and governor.
The Bank of England is asking people to help choose which animal, bird, or insect should go on new banknotes, like picking a mascot for money. It is a bit like choosing the picture on a school team badge, except the final choice still belongs to the Bank.
Analysis
What is changing
The Bank of England has opened a month-long consultation on the next series of banknotes, asking the public to choose from 18 shortlisted creatures. Each note will feature one animal or bird, and people can pick up to six favourites, with the deadline set for the end of 3 July.
What is on the shortlist
The candidates are split into three groups: mammals, birds, and amphibians, insects and fish. The mammals include the bottlenose dolphin, brown hare, European hedgehog, grey seal, pine martin and red fox. Birds on the list are the Atlantic puffin, barn owl, common kingfisher, Eurasian curlew, great spotted woodpecker and white-tailed eagle. The final group includes the Atlantic salmon, basking shark, buff-tailed bumblebee, common frog, Emperor dragonfly and marsh fritillary butterfly.
How the decision works
A panel of wildlife experts selected the shortlist, but the final decision will be made by Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey. The Bank says the public’s top choices will not automatically determine the outcome. Victoria Cleland, the Bank’s chief cashier, said she hoped people would enjoy taking part and noted that the shortlisted animals show the variety of UK wildlife.
Why this became political
The move replaces historical figures on the reverse of notes, a change that drew criticism earlier in the year, especially after Winston Churchill was singled out in political debate. The Bank says the redesign is mainly about staying ahead of counterfeiting, and notes are replaced over time as part of that process.
Wider context
Current banknotes feature Churchill, Jane Austen, JMW Turner and Alan Turing. The new series will still include the monarch and images representing the home nations, but not notable historical figures on the reverse for the first time since 1970.
Key points
- The Bank of England has shortlisted 18 animals, birds and insects for future banknotes.
- People can vote for up to six favourites before the end of 3 July.
- The shortlist includes puffins, kingfishers, hedgehogs, foxes, bumblebees and frogs.
- Andrew Bailey will make the final decision, and it will not necessarily follow the public vote.
- The Bank says redesigning banknotes is also part of stopping counterfeiting.
If the consultation works well, the new banknotes could feel more widely accepted because the public had a say in the design. The final notes could also celebrate UK wildlife in a way that is familiar, colourful, and easy to recognise.
The process could keep drawing criticism if people see the wildlife switch as a poor replacement for historical figures. The final choice may also frustrate voters if Andrew Bailey does not choose the creatures with the most public support.
