Ethan Clarke
The £20 note went plastic in February 2020, when the Bank of England issued a new polymer note featuring the artist JMW Turner. The plastic notes are more durable and harder to counterfeit than the old paper ones, which ceased to be legal tender on 30 September 2022. The new notes feature a transparent window and raised dots to assist blind and partially sighted people in identifying them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of issue | 20 February 2020 |
| Denomination | £20 |
| Material | Polymer |
| Dimensions | Approximately 139mm x 73mm |
| Obverse | Queen Elizabeth II |
| Reverse | J. M. W. Turner |
| Expiry date of previous version | 30 September 2022 |
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What You'll Learn
The first plastic £20 note was issued in February 2020
The new polymer note included several design changes and security features. It is slightly smaller than the paper note and features a transparent window to prevent counterfeiting, as well as raised dots resembling Braille to assist visually impaired individuals in identifying the note's value. The note also includes a holographic image that changes between the words 'Twenty' and 'Pounds' when tilted. Under ultraviolet light, the number '20' appears in bright red and green against a duller background.
The £20 note has a long history, dating back to 1725 when the Bank of England first introduced twenty-pound notes. These earliest notes were handwritten and issued to individuals as needed. Over time, the design and security features of the note have evolved, with the introduction of printed notes in 1853 and the inclusion of security threads, watermarks, and holograms in more recent versions.
The old paper £20 notes ceased to be legal tender on 30 September 2022, following the expiry date given by the Bank of England. However, individuals could still exchange their old notes at banks or the Post Office, or directly with the Bank of England after this date. The introduction of the new polymer £20 note marked a significant step forward in the durability and security of British currency.
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The plastic note features artist JMW Turner
The £20 note was first issued in 2020 and is made of a polymer material, which is a thin and flexible plastic that is difficult to rip or tear. The note features the distinguished English artist, JMW Turner, who was chosen from a long list of 590 British creatives. Turner was a prolific artist, producing more than 550 oil paintings, 2,000 watercolours, and 30,000 paper works over his lifetime. He is renowned for his dramatic seascapes and innovative use of light, shade, colour and tone.
The note features Turner's 1799 self-portrait, which is on display at Tate Britain, as well as one of his most famous paintings, 'The Fighting Temeraire'. The painting is a tribute to the ship HMS Temeraire, which played a distinguished role in Nelson's victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The note also includes the phrase "Light is therefore colour", a quote from a lecture Turner gave in 1818, and a reproduction of his signature from his will.
The design of the note includes several security features to prevent forgery. These include transparent and foil elements, a hologram that changes between the words 'Twenty' and 'Pounds', and a small window in the bottom corner. The note also has raised print and three clusters of raised dots in the top left corner to help blind and partially sighted people identify the value.
The new £20 note replaced the old paper note, which featured the social philosopher and economic theorist Adam Smith. The old £20 notes ceased to be legal tender on 30 September 2022, but they can still be exchanged at banks and the Post Office, or directly at the Bank of England.
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The plastic note is slightly smaller than the paper note
The £20 note was first issued in polymer form on 20 February 2020. It features a portrait of the artist JMW Turner, one of his most famous paintings, The Fighting Temeraire, and a quote from an 1818 lecture: "Light is therefore colour". This note replaced the cotton paper note featuring a portrait of economist Adam Smith, which was first issued in 2007.
The Bank of England withdrew the old £20 paper notes from circulation after 30 September 2022. After this date, they were no longer legal tender, meaning businesses could not accept them. However, people could still exchange their old notes by depositing them at their bank or with the Post Office, or by exchanging them directly with the Bank of England.
The £20 polymer note is part of a "family" of polymer notes issued by the Bank of England, including the £5 note, which features Sir Winston Churchill, the £10 note, which features Jane Austen, and the £50 note, which features Alan Turing.
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The old £20 notes ceased to be valid on 30 September 2022
The £20 notes featuring the portrait of Scottish economist Adam Smith were replaced by the new polymer notes on 30 September 2022. The new notes are made of polymer, a plastic material that is difficult to rip or tear. The new notes feature the renowned painter JMW Turner, who was chosen from a list of 590 British creatives. Turner's self-portrait, painted circa 1799, and one of his most famous paintings, The Fighting Temeraire, are featured on the note. The note also includes a quote from Turner, "light is therefore colour", and a copy of his signature.
The new polymer notes were first issued on 20 February 2020, and feature several security features. These include a transparent window to prevent forgery and raised dots to assist visually impaired individuals in identifying the note. The note also has a hologram that changes between the words "Twenty" and "Pounds" when tilted. The foil is blue and gold on the front and silver on the back, with a second, smaller window in the bottom corner. A portrait of the monarch is printed on this window, with "£20 Bank of England" printed twice around the edge. The note also features three clusters of raised dots in the top left corner to help blind and partially sighted people identify the value of the note. Under ultraviolet light, the number "20" appears in bright red and green against a duller background.
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$19.29
The new notes featuring the late Queen Elizabeth II will remain legal tender
The £20 note was first issued in polymer form on 20 February 2020, replacing the cotton paper note featuring a portrait of economist Adam Smith. The new note features the late Queen Elizabeth II on the front and a portrait of the artist JMW Turner on the back. The note also includes a c.1799 self-portrait of Turner, a version of Turner's The Fighting Temeraire, the quote "light is therefore colour" from an 1818 lecture by Turner, and a copy of Turner's signature as made on his will.
The polymer note includes several security features, such as a transparent window to counteract forgery and raised dots resembling Braille to assist visually impaired individuals in identifying the note. It also has a blue and gold foil on the front, with a second smaller window in the bottom corner. A portrait of the monarch is printed on this window, with "£20 Bank of England" printed twice around the edge. The note also has three clusters of raised dots in the top left corner to help blind and partially sighted people identify the value of the note.
The old £20 paper notes ceased to be valid on 30 September 2022, after which businesses could no longer accept them as legal tender. However, the Bank of England advised that many banks and the Post Office would still accept the withdrawn notes as deposits from customers. The new polymer notes featuring the late Queen Elizabeth II will remain legal tender, alongside the new notes featuring King Charles III.
The polymer notes were introduced as they are more durable and difficult to counterfeit. The new notes are also slightly smaller than the paper notes.
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Frequently asked questions
The plastic £20 notes were first issued on 20 February 2020.
The plastic £20 note features painter J. M. W. Turner on the reverse and the late Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse.
The old paper £20 notes ceased to be valid on 30 September 2022.
Yes, you can still exchange the old notes even though the deadline has passed. Many banks will still accept the "withdrawn notes as deposits from customers", and so will the Post Office. You can also exchange the paper notes for the new polymer ones directly at the Bank of England in London.
