Security by Design Exhibition
29 March - 26 October
10:00am – 5:00pm
The Bank of England has been issuing banknotes for over 300 years. Its job is to provide notes that the public can use with confidence.
The success of a banknote depends on its acceptability: in short, whether people trust that it is genuine. That confidence and trust is inspired by the security features that are built into the note to prevent counterfeiting.
Following the release of the new-style Adam Smith £20 note the exhibition charts the development of the design of the Bank of England note and the introduction of security features over the past three centuries. It begins with the first design feature - Britannia - and the first security feature - watermarked paper introduced in 1697. It ends with the very latest security feature - the see-through register on the Adam Smith £20 note. It touches on advances in printing technology; the problem of 'identity' which was not really solved until the mid-19th century; and the introduction of colour-printing and forgery on an undreamt of scale during the Second World War.
This is an interactive exhibition: visitors can test their own notes (bring your own please, we will not supply them!) with lightboxes, ultra-violet light and magnifying glasses. The interactivity continues with banknote jigsaws (for adults as well as children) and touch-screen monitors full of background information - not to mention some very testing questions. Finally, children can try to open a small safe, for which the combination lock can be opened by answering three questions correctly. Inside is a small reward.
Follow this link to view pictures of children taking part in the interactive sections of the exhibition.
Download the Security by Design booklet 
(2Mb)
Papermaking demonstrations
On selected dates throughout the exhibition there will be demonstrations on the fascinating art of hand-made papermaking. A professional paper maker will demonstrate the process using raw ingredients through to the finished article.
The demonstrations will take place from 1:00pm until 4:45pm (unless stated) on the following dates:
Thursday 12th April
Wednesday 30th May
Wednesday 20th June (previously listed 27/6)
Saturday 7th July (1:00pm – 4:00pm)
Wednesday 25th July
Wednesday 29th August
Wednesday 26th September
Wednesday 24th October
