2017-08-01 Tue

The 200th death anniversary of the popular write Jane Austen was observed by the Bank of England with the release of new £10 polymer note featuring the great author on 18th July. The notes will be issued on 14th September. It is the second polymer note of England after Churchill £5 note. A £20 note featuring J.M.W. Turner will be released in 2020.

There was a controversy on the use of animal fat (tallow) in the £5 polymer note. Vegans, religious groups and animal-rights activists opposed the idea. The Austin note is also made of the same material and is expected to last 2.5 times more than paper notes. There is a possibility that the same groups would oppose this note as well.

For the very first time in England, the new £10 note will have a tactile feature to help the blind identify the denomination. Other such features that already existed include tiered sizing, bold numerals, raised print and varying colours. The note also comes with many advanced Security features.

The Pride and Prejudice line “I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading!” on the banknote, has not been liked by many of her fans. Her portrait also looks more attractive than she really was. It was adopted by the Bank from a sketch that her sister Cassandra had produced. The image of Godmersham Park, the home of her brother and inspiration for some of her novels, her writing table, and writing quills, have not yet caused any kind of controversies.

The obverse features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and the current £10 note will be discontinued in 2018.