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Security Features  |  Design Features

New-style £50 Note (Boulton & Watt) - Security Features

£50 - Front £50 - 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 finger across the front of the new-style £50 note you can feel raised print in areas such as the words 'Bank of England' and in the bottom right corner, around the number 50.
Metalic ThreadMetallic thread - the thread is embedded in the paper in every banknote. If you hold the note up to the light, the metallic thread appears as a continuous dark line.
WatermarkWatermark - hold the new-style £50 note up to the light and you will see an image of the Queen's portrait together with a bright £50.
Print Quality Print Quality - the printed lines and colours on the new-style £50 note are sharp, clear and free from smudges or blurred edges.
MicroletteringMicrolettering - using a magnifying glass, look closely at the lettering beneath the Queen's portrait on the new-style £50 note - you will see the value of the note written in small letter and numbers.
Ultra-violet feature

Ultra-violet feature - if you look at the front of the new-style £50 note under a good quality ultra-violet light the number 50 appears in bright red and green. The five windows of the motion thread also appear in bright 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.
Motion ThreadMotion thread - the motion thread on the new-style £50 note is woven into the paper. It has five windows along its length which contain images of the £ symbol and the number 50. When the note is tilted from side to side, the images move up and down. When the note is tilted up and down, the images move from side to side and the number 50 and £ symbol switch.
See-through RegisterSee-through register - hold the new-style £50 note up to the light and you will see coloured irregular shapes printed on the front and back that combine to form the £ symbol.

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Key Resources

Interviews with Chris Salmon (Chief Cashier) and Victoria Cleland (Head of Notes Division) discussing the security features and choice of historical characters on the new-style £50 note.
Watch webcast
"take note of the new-style £50" A4 Poster
Publicity poster with images of the new-style £50 banknote.
Download PDF (1.2mb)
"take a closer look" Booklet
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)