Bank of Scotland £50 note

Last updated • 2 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
Fifty pounds
(United Kingdom)
Value£50  sterling
Width146 mm
Height77 mm
Security featuresRaised print, metallic thread, watermark, microlettering, UV feature, iridescent band, see-through registration device
Material usedPolymer
Years of printing1695–present
2021–present (current design)
Obverse
Design Walter Scott
Design date2021
Reverse
Design Falkirk Wheel and The Kelpies
Design date2021

The Bank of Scotland £50 note is a sterling banknote. It is the second largest of five banknote denominations issued by the Bank of Scotland. The current polymer note, first issued in 2021 bears the image of Walter Scott on the obverse and a vignette of the Falkirk Wheel and The Kelpies on the reverse.

Contents

History

Paper currency was introduced in Scotland immediately following the foundation of the Bank of Scotland in 1695. Early banknotes were monochrome, and printed on one side only. The issuing of banknotes by Scottish banks was regulated by the Banknote (Scotland) Act 1845 until it was superseded by the Banking Act 2009. [1] Though strictly not legal tender in Scotland, Scottish banknotes are nevertheless legal currency and are generally accepted throughout the United Kingdom. Scottish banknotes are fully backed such that holders have the same level of protection as those holding genuine Bank of England notes. [2] The £50 note is currently the second largest of five denominations of banknote issued by the Bank of Scotland. [3]

The Tercentenary series of Bank of Scotland notes was introduced in 1995, and is named for the three hundredth anniversary of the bank's founding, which occurred in that year. Each note features a portrait of Walter Scott on the front. The £50 note has a triangle on the front (other denominations having different shapes) to aid identification for those with impaired vision. The back features an image of The Mound, the location of the bank's headquarters. Each denomination also features a rear design reflecting a certain aspect of Scottish industry and society. On the £50 note the rear design represents Scotland's achievements in art and culture. Three symbols appear on the right-hand side of the rear of the note. These are (from top to bottom) Pallas, goddess of weaving (symbol of the British Linen Bank which merged with the Bank of Scotland in 1971), a saltire with gold bezants (part of the bank's coat of arms), and ship (symbol of the Union Bank of Scotland which merged with the Bank of Scotland in 1955). [4]

The Bridges series of banknotes was introduced in 2007 to replace the Tercentenary series. The size and colour remain is unchanged, and Walter Scott remains on the obverse. The image of The Mound was moved to the front and a new rear design featuring the Falkirk Wheel appears. The text has been updated to a more modern style and new large, raised numerals act as an aid for the partially sighted. [5]

On 1 July 2021, [6] a new polymer £50 note was introduced to replace the paper notes, featuring the Falkirk Wheel and The Kelpies. Unlike the paper note, it is red instead of green. [7]

Designs

NoteFirst issuedColourSizeDesignAdditional information
Tercentenary1995Green156 × 85 mmFront: Walter Scott; Back: Arts and culture
Bridges17 September 2007Green156 × 85 mmFront: Walter Scott; Back: Falkirk Wheel
Bridges1 July 2021Red146 x 77 mmFront: Walter Scott; Back: Falkirk Wheel and Kelpies

Information taken from The Committee of Scottish Bankers website. [3]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Banknotes of the pound sterling</span> Promissory notes denominated in pounds sterling

The pound sterling is the official currency of the United Kingdom, Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, British Antarctic Territory, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, and Tristan da Cunha.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bank of Scotland</span> Bank based in Edinburgh, Scotland

The Bank of Scotland plc is a commercial and clearing bank based in Edinburgh, Scotland, and is part of the Lloyds Banking Group. The bank was established by the Parliament of Scotland in 1695 to develop Scotland's trade with other countries, and aimed to create a stable banking system in the Kingdom of Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clydesdale Bank</span> Commercial bank in Scotland

Clydesdale Bank is a trading name used by Clydesdale Bank plc for its retail banking operations in Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Singapore Portrait Series currency notes</span> 4th design of Singapore currency notes

The Portrait Series of currency notes is the fourth and current set of notes to be issued for circulation in Singapore. It was first introduced on 9 September 1999 by the Board of Commissioners of Currency, Singapore (BCCS), whose role was since taken over by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) post-merger.

Banknotes have been issued for use specifically in Northern Ireland since 1929, and are denominated in pounds sterling. They are legal currencies, but technically not legal tender anywhere. This is not uncommon as most bank notes are not recognised as tender. However, the banknotes are still widely accepted as currency by larger merchants and institutions elsewhere in the United Kingdom. Issuing banks have been granted legal rights to issue currency, and back the notes with deposits at the Bank of England.

Banknotes of Scotland are the banknotes of the pound sterling that are issued by three Scottish retail banks and in circulation in Scotland. The issuing of banknotes by retail banks in Scotland is subject to the Banking Act 2009, which repealed all earlier legislation under which banknote issuance was regulated, and the Scottish and Northern Ireland Banknote Regulations 2009. Currently, three retail banks are allowed to print notes for circulation in Scotland: Bank of Scotland, Royal Bank of Scotland, and Clydesdale Bank.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bank of Scotland £5 note</span> Scottish banknote

The Bank of Scotland £5 note, also known informally as a fiver, is a sterling banknote. It is the smallest denomination of banknote issued by the Bank of Scotland. The current polymer note, first issued in October 2016, bears the image of Sir Walter Scott on the obverse and a vignette of the Brig o' Doon on the reverse. The polymer replaces a cotton note also featuring a portrait of Sir Walter Scott.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bank of Scotland £10 note</span>

The Bank of Scotland £10 note, also known informally as a tenner, is a sterling banknote. It is the second smallest denomination of banknote issued by the Bank of Scotland. The current polymer note, first issued in 2017, bears the image of Sir Walter Scott on the obverse and a vignette of the Glenfinnan Viaduct on the reverse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bank of Scotland £20 note</span> Banknote

The Bank of Scotland £20 note is a sterling banknote. It is the third largest of five banknote denominations issued by the Bank of Scotland. The current polymer note, first issued in 2020, bears the image of Walter Scott on the obverse and a vignette of the Forth Bridge on the reverse.

The Bank of Scotland £100 note is a sterling banknote. It is the largest of five banknote denominations issued by the Bank of Scotland. The current polymer note, first issued in 2022 bears the image of Walter Scott on the obverse and Flora Murray on the reverse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Royal Bank of Scotland £5 note</span> Sterling banknote

The Royal Bank of Scotland £5 note, also known as a fiver, is a sterling banknote. It is the second smallest denomination of banknote issued by The Royal Bank of Scotland. The current polymer note, first issued in 2016, bears an image of author Nan Shepherd on the obverse and a pair of mackerel on the reverse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Royal Bank of Scotland £10 note</span> Sterling banknote

The Royal Bank of Scotland £10 note, also known as a tenner, is a sterling banknote. It is the third smallest denomination of banknote issued by The Royal Bank of Scotland. The current polymer note, first issued in 2017, bears a portrait of scientist Mary Somerville on the front and a pair of otters on the reverse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Royal Bank of Scotland £20 note</span>

The Royal Bank of Scotland £20 note is a sterling banknote. It is the third largest denomination of banknote issued by The Royal Bank of Scotland. The current polymer note, first issued in 2020, bears the image of Catherine Cranston on the obverse and a vignette depicting a pair of Red Squirrels on the reverse.

The Royal Bank of Scotland £50 note is a sterling banknote. It is the second largest denomination of banknote issued by the Royal Bank of Scotland. The current polymer note, first issued in 2021 bears an image of Flora Stevenson on the obverse and two ospreys, a mackerel and lady's bedstraw on the reverse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Royal Bank of Scotland £100 note</span> Scottish banknote

The Royal Bank of Scotland £100 note is a sterling banknote. It is the largest denomination of banknote issued by The Royal Bank of Scotland. The current cotton note, first issued in 1987, bears an image of Lord Ilay, one of the founders of the bank, on the obverse, and a vignette of Balmoral Castle on the reverse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clydesdale Bank £5 note</span>

The Clydesdale Bank £5 note, also known informally as a fiver, is a sterling banknote. It is the smallest denomination of banknote issued by Clydesdale Bank. The current polymer note, first issued in 2015, bears an image of engineer William Arrol on the obverse and an image of the Forth Bridge on the reverse. It was the first fully polymer banknote to go into circulation in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clydesdale Bank £10 note</span> Scottish banknote

The Clydesdale Bank £10 note, also known informally as a tenner, is a sterling banknote. It is the second smallest denomination of banknote issued by Clydesdale Bank. The current polymer note, first issued in 2017, bears an image of Scottish poet Robert Burns on the obverse and a vignette of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh on the reverse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clydesdale Bank £20 note</span> Sterling banknote

The Clydesdale Bank £20 note is a sterling banknote. It is the third largest denomination of banknote issued by Clydesdale Bank. The current polymer note, first issued in 2020, bears a portrait of the Scottish king Robert the Bruce on the obverse and an image of the islands of St Kilda on the reverse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clydesdale Bank £50 note</span>

The Clydesdale Bank £50 note was a sterling banknote. Until its withdrawal it was the second largest denomination of banknote issued by the Clydesdale Bank. The last cotton note, first issued in 2009 bears a portrait of Elsie Inglis, founder of the Scottish Women's Hospitals, on the obverse and an image of the Antonine Wall on the reverse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clydesdale Bank £100 note</span> Scottish banknote

The Clydesdale Bank £100 note is a sterling banknote. It is the largest denomination of banknote issued by Clydesdale Bank. The current cotton note, first issued in 2009 bears a portrait of the designer and artist Charles Rennie Mackintosh on the obverse and images of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney on the reverse.

References

  1. "Banknote History". The Committee of Scottish Bankers. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
  2. "Scottish and Northern Ireland Banknotes Factsheet" (PDF). Association of Commercial Banknote Issuers. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
  3. 1 2 "Current Banknotes : Bank of Scotland". The Committee of Scottish Bankers. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
  4. "Banknote Design Features : Bank of Scotland Tercentenary Series". The Committee of Scottish Bankers. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
  5. "Banknote Design Features : Bank of Scotland Bridges Series". The Committee of Scottish Bankers. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
  6. "Bank of Scotland unveils new £50 polymer note design". Lloyds Banking Group. Archived from the original on 1 June 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  7. "New Falkirk Wheel and Kelpies £50 note design revealed". BBC News. Archived from the original on 1 June 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.