2018-11-05 Mon

It was officially declared that the latest version of Britain's highest-denomination banknote in circulation, the 50-pound note will be featuring a scientist or a mathematician. Citizens have been asked to send in their suggestions until 14th December. BoE officials will shortlist the options with the help of four scientists and the final design will be revealed next year.

Engineer James Watt and his business partner Matthew Boulton are currently featured on the 50-pound notes. These innovators developed and marketed the steam engine in the late 18th century. The 19th-century novelist Jane Austen was featured on the new 10-pound polymer notes that were launched in 2017.

In September 2016, the first polymer notes of Britain featuring Winston Churchill were introduced. The new 50-pound note will also be printed on polymer as they are durable and secure. 330 million 50 pound notes are in circulation currently. These polymer notes contain a small amount of animal fat which led to protests and outrage by vegetarians and religious groups. Physicist Isaac Newton and naturalist Charles Darwin are the scientists who have been already featured on British banknotes.

The above image features the British polymath and physician, Thomas Young FRS (1773 – 1829) who contributed in the fields of vision, light, solid mechanics, energy, physiology, language, musical harmony, and Egyptology.

Image Courtesy: Wikimedia