What accessibility features do the current polymer bank notes have?

The Bank of England worked closely with RNIB to ensure that the current polymer notes are accessible to blind and partially sighted people.

The polymer bank notes, which started being introduced in 2016, have the same features as the paper notes. They've retained the tiered sizing and have bold numerals and similar colour palettes to the current notes. The new King Charles III notes have all the same features as the Queen Elizabeth II bank notes - including the braille markings.

  • The £10 note has four raised dots in a square pattern in the top left hand corner, repeated once below (two squares in total)
  • The £20 note has the same square of four raised dots in the top left hand corner, repeated twice in a downward row (three squares in total)
  • The £50 has the same square of four raised dots in the top left hand corner, repeated three times in a downward row (four squares in total)
  • The £5 note is distinguishable by the absence of the tactile feature.

Some people think the four raised dots in a square represent the letter G in braille, but the raised dots are just meant to make the note easily identifiable.

Timeline

  • The polymer £5 note was introduced on 13 September 2016, the old note was phased out on 5 May 2017
  • The polymer £10 note was introduced on 14 September 2017, the old note was phased out on 1 March 2018
  • The polymer £20 note was introduced on 20 February 2020, the old note was phased out on 30 September 2022
  • The polymer £50 note was introduced on 23 June 2021, the old note was phased out on 30 September 2022.

New bank notes featuring King Charles III entered circulation on 5 June 2024 and will run in circulation with the Queen Elizabeth II notes. Notes will only be taken out of circulation if they are damaged or worn.

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