Home > Banknotes > Current Banknotes > Current Banknotes
 

Current Banknotes

In this section
Security Features  |  Design Features

£20 Note (Adam Smith) - Security Features

£20 Note - Front £20 Note - Back

Feel of the PaperFeel of the paper - banknotes are printed on special paper that gives them their unique feel.
Raised printRaised print - by running your fingers across the front of the £20 note you can feel raised print in areas such as the words 'Bank of England' and in the bottom right corner, around the number 20.
ThreadMetallic thread - there is a metallic thread embedded in every banknote. This appears as silver dashes on the back of the £20 note. If you hold the note up to the light the metallic thread appears as a continuous dark line.
WatermarkWatermark - hold the £20 note up to the light and you will see an image of the Queen's portrait together with a bright £20.
Quality of the PrintingPrint Quality - the printed lines and colours on the £20 note are sharp, clear and free from smudges or blurred edges.
Micro-letteringMicrolettering - Using a magnifying glass, look closely at the lettering beneath the Queen's portrait on the £20 note - you will see the value of the note written in small letters and numbers.
Fluorescent feature

Fluorescent feature		 Ultra-violet feature - if you look at the front of the £20 note under a good quality ultra-violet light the number 20 appears in bright red and green. Randomly spread bright red and green flecks are also visible on both the front and back of the note. The remainder of the note appears dull in contrast.
Holographic strip Holographic strip - the strip on the £20 note has a number of foil patches along its length which contain alternating holographic images. The positioning of the patches varies along the strip. When the note is tilted, one hologram shows a multi-coloured image of Adam Smith, the other changes between a multi-coloured £ symbol and the number 20. The number 20 is also embossed on the strip and is positioned in the same place on every note - just to the right of the signature of the Chief Cashier.
See-through RegisterSee-through register - hold the £20 note up to the light and you will see coloured irregular shapes printed on the front and back that combine to form the £ symbol.
 

Back to the top

 

Key Resources

"take a closer look" Booklet - English
An easy to follow guide about the security features on all
current banknotes.
Download PDF (7.4mb)
"take a closer look" Booklet - Cymraeg
An easy to follow guide about the security features on all
current banknotes.
Download PDF (5.9mb)