Current Banknotes
Old-style £20 Note (Sir Edward Elgar)
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Design features
The old-style £20 note, with a portrait of Sir Edward Elgar on the back, is the second highest denomination note in value and the second largest in size (approx. 149mm x 80mm).
Denomination numeral - a large number ‘20’ and pound sign appears in the top left corner on the front of the note to assist easy recognition of its value. A slightly smaller value figure appears in the top right corner.
Recognition
symbol – the old-style £20 note has a densely coloured purple square on the front that is a recognition symbol for the partially sighted.
Unique numbering – a unique number is printed horizontally and vertically on the front of the note. The horizontal number is in the top left-hand corner and consists of multi-coloured letters and numbers of graduating height. The vertical number runs down the right-hand edge and the letters and numbers are the same height and colour.
Copyright symbols – the international copyright symbol is included on the front and back of the old-style £20 note, around the edge of the watermark area.
Historical character -
Sir Edward Elgar (1857-1934).
Elgar spent the majority of his life in Worcester and the first performance of the full version of his Enigma Variations took place in Worcester Cathedral at the 1899 Three Choirs Festival. An image of the west face of the cathedral is included in the design on the back of the note.
Key Resources
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Know Your Banknotes Leaflet Provides a guide to the key recognition and security features on banknotes. Download PDF (811k) |
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New-style £20 Poster Download PDF (534k) |
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New-style £20 Leaflet Download PDF (607k) |
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Notes in Circulation and New Notes Issued table Download PDF (129k) |
