We use necessary cookies to make our site work (for example, to manage your session). We’d also like to use some non-essential cookies (including third-party cookies) to help us improve the site. By clicking ‘Accept recommended settings’ on this banner, you accept our use of optional cookies.
Necessary cookies
Analytics cookies
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Necessary cookies
Necessary cookies enable core functionality on our website such as security, network management, and accessibility. You may disable these by changing your browser settings, but this may affect how the website functions.
Analytics cookies
We use analytics cookies so we can keep track of the number of visitors to various parts of the site and understand how our website is used. For more information on how these cookies work please see our Cookie policy.
At the end of last week we received around half a dozen reports from the public of a fault relating to the serial numbers on the new £5 note.
Published on
27 May 2002
The serial numbers were reported to be rubbing off.
We are conducting tests on the notes returned to us and on samples of notes which have not yet been issued. From these tests we have identified that on some notes it is possible to remove part or all of one or both of the serial numbers if the note is rubbed hard.
Press release