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Security Features

£10 Note (Charles Darwin)

Feel of the paper - banknotes are printed on special paper that gives them their unique feel.
Raised print - this is used on some parts of the note. By running your finger across the note you can feel raised print in some areas, such as the words ‘Bank of England’ on the front of the note.
Metallic thread - the thread is embedded in the paper in every banknote. This appears as silver dashes on the back of the £10 note. If you hold the note up to the light, the metallic thread appears as a continuous dark line.
Watermark - hold the note up to the light and you will see an image of the Queen’s portrait. This can also be viewed from the back of the note.
Quality of the printing - the printed lines and colours on banknotes are sharp, clear and free from smudges or blurred edges.
Hologram - there is a hologram on the foil patch on the front of the £10 note. If you tilt the note, the image will change between a brightly coloured picture of Britannia and the number ‘10’.
Ultra-violet feature - if you put a £10 note under a good quality ultra-violet light (one that emits light at around 365 nanometres), its numerical value appears as a bright red and green patterned number ‘10’ while the background is dull in contrast. Under ordinary light there is no trace of this number.
Microlettering - using a magnifying glass, look closely at the lettering beneath the Queen’s portrait – you will see the value of the £10 note written in small letters and numbers – ‘TEN’ and ‘10’.