Bank of England unveils new polymer £50 note

The Bank of England unveiled the design of the new 50-pound note, celebrating mathematician Alan Turing.

The polymer note features an image of Turing, mathematical formulae from a 1936 paper he wrote that laid the groundwork for modern computer science, and technical drawings for the machines used to decipher Germany’s Enigma code.

Turing helped Britain win World War Two with his code-breaking skills but is believed to have killed himself after being convicted for having sex with a male partner.

The polymer note also carries a quote by Turing about the rise of machine intelligence: “This is only a foretaste of what is to come, and only the shadow of what is going to be.”

“There’s something of the character of a nation in its money,” BoE Governor Andrew Bailey said in a statement on Thursday, which highlighted the breadth of Turing’s accomplishments.

“He was also gay, and was treated appallingly as a result,” Bailey said. “By placing him on our new polymer 50-pound banknote, we are celebrating his achievements, and the values he symbolises.”

The 50-pound note is the BoE’s highest-value banknote. It will enter circulation on June 23, Turing’s birthday.

The note contains advanced security features, including:

• Hologram – the word changes between ‘Fifty’ and ‘Pounds’ when the note is tilted
• See-through window – look at the metallic image over the main window and check that the foil is gold and green on the front of the note and silver on the back
• Ultra-violent number – under ultraviolet light, the number ‘50’ appears in bright red and green, against a duller background

The withdrawal date of the paper £50 note will be announced once the new polymer £50 note has been issued.

James Lowman, chief executive of the Association of Convenience Stores urged retailers to familiarise themselves and their colleagues with the new security features of the polymer £50 note ahead of its issue.

“Retailers should also seek to contact the manufacturer or supplier of their cash handling machines to discuss what adaptations will be required for issuance of the new £50 note,” he added.

The Bank of England offers a free Banknote Checking Scheme which is open to businesses and retailers.

The full list of security features and more information on the scheme can be found here.