Bank of Scotland £5 note
| (United Kingdom) | |
|---|---|
| Value | £5 |
| Width | 135 mm |
| Height | 70 mm |
| Security features | Raised print, metallic thread, watermark, microlettering, UV feature, iridescant band |
| Paper type | Cotton |
| Years of printing |
1695–present 2007–present (current design) |
| Obverse | |
| Design | Walter Scott |
| Design date | 2007 |
| Reverse | |
| Design | Brig o' Doon |
| Design date | 2007 |
The Bank of Scotland £5 note, also known as a fiver, is a banknote of the pound sterling. It is the smallest denomination of banknote issued by the Bank of Scotland. The current cotton note, first issued in 2007 bears the image of Walter Scott on the obverse and a vignette of the Brig o' Doon on the reverse. From October 2016, the current note will be phased out, to be replaced by a polymer note also featuring a portrait of Walter Scott.[1]
History
Paper currency was introduced in Scotland immediately following the foundation of the Bank of Scotland in 1695. Early banknotes were monochrome, and printed on one side only. The issuing of banknotes by Scottish banks was regulated by the Banknote (Scotland) Act 1845 until it was superseded by the Banking Act 2009.[2] Though strictly not legal tender in Scotland, Scottish banknotes are nevertheless legal currency and are generally accepted throughout the United Kingdom. Scottish banknotes are fully backed such that holders have the same level of protection as those holding genuine Bank of England notes.[3] The £5 note is currently the smallest denomination of banknote issued by the Bank of Scotland.[4]
The Tercentenary series of Bank of Scotland notes was introduced in 1995, and is named for the three hundredth anniversary of the bank's founding, which occurred in that year. Each note features a portrait of Walter Scott on the front. The £5 note has a circle on the front (other denominations having different shapes) to aid identification for those with impaired vision. The back features an image of The Mound, the location of the bank's headquarters. Each denomination also features a rear design reflecting a certain aspect of Scottish industry and society. On the £5 note the rear design represents the oil and energy industry. Three symbols appear on the right-hand side of the rear of the note. These are (from top to bottom) Pallas, goddess of weaving (symbol of the British Linen Bank which merged with the Bank of Scotland in 1971), a saltire with gold bezants (part of the bank's coat of arms), and ship (symbol of the Union Bank of Scotland which merged with the Bank of Scotland in 1955).[5]
The Bridges series of banknotes was introduced in 2007 to replace the Tercentenary series. The size and colour remain is unchanged, and Walter Scott remains on the obverse. The image of The Mound was moved to the front and a new rear design featuring the Brig o' Doon appears. The text has been updated to a more modern style and new large, raised numerals act as an aid for the partially sighted.[6] In June 2016 the design was unveiled for a new polymer £5 note, which will be available from the 4th of October onwards.[1] This new note will be the same size as the new polymer Bank of England £5 note. It will continue to feature Walter Scott on the front, and will feature The Mound on both sides, appearing alongside the Brig o' Doon on the reverse.[7]
Designs
| Note | First issued | Colour | Size | Design | Additional information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tercentenary | 1995 | Blue | 135mm x 70mm | Front: Walter Scott; Back: Oil and energy industry | |
| Bridges | 17 September 2007 | Blue | 135mm x 70mm | Front: Walter Scott; Back: Brig o' Doon | |
| Polymer | 4 October 2016 | Blue | 125mm x 65mm | Front: Walter Scott; Back: Brig o' Doon and The Mound | |
Information taken from The Committee of Scottish Bankers website.[4]
References
- 1 2 "Bank of Scotland £5 plastic banknote unveiled". The National. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ↑ "Banknote History". The Committee of Scottish Bankers. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ↑ "Scottish and Northern Ireland Banknotes Factsheet" (PDF). Association of Commercial Banknote Issuers. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- 1 2 "Current Banknotes : Bank of Scotland". The Committee of Scottish Bankers. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ↑ "Banknote Design Features : Bank of Scotland Tercentenary Series". The Committee of Scottish Bankers. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ↑ "Banknote Design Features : Bank of Scotland Bridges Series". The Committee of Scottish Bankers. Retrieved 5 June 2016.
- ↑ "Know Your Scottish Banknotes" (PDF). The Committee of Scottish Bankers. Retrieved 5 June 2016.