Paper £50 note

Key facts

30 September 2022

The last day you can use your paper £50 notes

You can swap them at your bank

The Bank of England will always exchange your old banknotes

even after 30 September

Front of the note

Back of the note

Explore our paper £50 note

Drag the note or use the slider to find out about the features on the note

Motion thread

The images change between a ‘£’ symbol and the number ‘50’ when the note is tilted.

Watermark

When held up to the light, there is a bright '£50' at the top of the Queen's portrait.

Raised print

You can feel raised print on the words ‘Bank of England’ and in the bottom right corner, around the number ‘50’.

Ultra-violet features

Under ultra-violet light, the number '50' appears in bright red and green, against a duller background. The motion thread also appears bright green.

Size

The higher the value of a note, the larger it is. This note is approximately 156mm x 85mm.

Copyright symbols

The international copyright symbol is on the front and back of the note.

Historical characters

Matthew Boulton and James Watt were leading lights of the industrial revolution.

Quotes

‘I sell here, Sir, what all the world desires to have - POWER'

Quotes

'I can think of nothing else but this machine'

Artwork

Images of the Soho Manufactory and Whitbread Engine

See-through register

Coloured shapes are printed on the front and back of the note, that combine to form a '£' symbol when held up to the light.

Unique numbering

The numbers and letters in the vertical serial number are all the same height and colour. The horizontal serial number is multi-coloured and increases in height from left to right.

Print quality

The printed lines and colours on the note are sharp, clear and free from smudges or blurred edges.

Print quality

The value of the note is written in tiny letters and numbers below the Queen’s portrait. This is visible with a magnifying glass.

Metallic thread

There is a fully embedded metallic thread in the note. It appears as a continuous dark line when you hold the note up to a light.

Key security features

Focus on these two key security features to help confirm that your notes are genuine.

Motion thread image change

Tilt the note up and down or side to side. Check the images change between a '£' symbol and the number '50'.

How to check the motion thread on the £50 note

Bright '£50' in the watermark

Hold the note up to the light. Check there is a bright ‘£50’ at the top of the Queen’s portrait.

Other security features

Feel of paper and raised print

The note is printed on special paper that gives it a unique feel. On the front of the note, you can feel raised print. For example, on the words ‘Bank of England’ and in the bottom right corner, around the number '50'.

Ultraviolet features

Under a good quality ultra-violet light, the number '50' appears in bright red and green on the front of the note, against a duller background. You can see bright red and green flecks on both the front and back of the note. The motion thread also appears bright green.

Metallic thread

There is a fully embedded metallic thread in the note. It appears as a continuous dark line when you hold the note up to a light.

Print quality

The printed lines and colours on the note are sharp, clear and free from smudges or blurred edges. If you use a magnifying glass, you will see the value of the note written in small letters and numbers below the Queen's portrait.

See-through register

Coloured shapes are printed on the front and back of the note, below the signature of the Chief Cashier. These shapes combine to form a '£' symbol when the note is held up to the light.

Design features

Size

The higher the value of a note, the larger it is. This note is approximately 156mm x 85mm.

Unique numbering

A unique serial number is printed horizontally and vertically on the back of the note. The horizontal number is in the bottom right corner. It is made up of multi-coloured letters and numbers, which increase in height from left to right. The vertical number runs down the left-hand side and the numbers and letters are the same height and colour.