Blog — Polymer

2016 has certainly been an eventful year for British coins and banknotes, with several stories hitting the headlines. As the year draws to a close, here is a look back at our favourites. New Polymer £5 note creates a collecting frenzy On September 13th the Bank of England introduced its first ever plastic banknote - the first in a complete overhaul of the existing paper notes to improve their durability. The early issues with low serial numbers immediately sent the public into a collecting frenzy and it was not long before some notes were changing hands online for thousands of pounds.  Beatrix...

Today the Bank of England has released a brand new £5 note - the first ever polymer (or "plastic") banknote they have issued. Polymer notes are made from a flexible plastic, which is resistant to dirt and water, making them considerably more durable. Each note is expected to last around five years - two and a half times longer than their paper counterparts.  The new banknote itself features a familiar portrait of much-loved Prime Minister Winston Churchill along with a number of new security features, including a see-through window and foil Elizabeth Tower - which is gold on the front and...