Current Banknotes
£50 Note (Sir John Houblon)
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Design features
The £50 note, with a portrait of Sir John Houblon on the back, is the highest denomination in value and largest in size (approx. 156mm x 85mm).
Denomination numeral – the numbers appear
in the top corners on the £50 note and are smaller and
printed in a different style to those on the £5, £10
and £20 note. 
Recognition symbol – the £50 note has a densely coloured red triangle 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 the back of the £50 note, in the bottom left hand corner.
Historical character - Sir John Houblon (1632-1712).
Houblon was the first Governor of the Bank of England and the current £50 note was issued during the same year (1994) as the Bank celebrated its 300th anniversary. The design on the back of the note includes an image of Houblon's house in Threadneedle Street on the site of the Bank's present building.
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) |
