Banknotes carrying a portrait of King Charles III will be issued for the first time on 5 June 2024. The portrait of the King will appear on existing designs of all four banknotes (£5, £10, £20 and £50), with no other changes to the existing designs.
Polymer banknotes that feature the portrait of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will remain legal tender, and will co-circulate alongside King Charles III notes. The new banknotes will only be printed to replace those that are worn, and to meet any overall increase in demand for banknotes.
Our approach is in line with guidance from the Royal Household, to minimise the environmental and financial impact of this change. This means the public will begin to see the new King Charles III notes very gradually.
Note exchanges
Members of the public will also be able to exchange a limited value of current or old series notes for new King Charles III notes, through the Bank of England, for a short time from the 5 June 2024 issuance date. Further details will be provided closer to the time.
Auction of low serial notes
A series of charity auctions of low-serial numbered notes will be held over the summer at Spink & Son. In addition to the auctions, members of the public will be able to enter a ballot to purchase a set of notes. The money raised will be donated to charity. More details will be made available on the Spink & Son websiteOpens in a new window.
Join the free banknote checking scheme here
If your business uses, or is responsible, for any machines that accept, sort or check banknotes, you need to plan for their adaptation to work with the new note designs. Read more here.
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