Metro

When do old £20 notes expire?

Metro logo Metro 02.09.2022 21:21:30 Anna Paul and Ewan Quayle
We'll soon be saying goodbye to paper £20 for good (Picture: Chris Ratcliffe / Bloomberg)

The polymer £20 notes, which entered circulation in February 2020, replaced the old paper notes, leading many to question when the old currency will expire.

The notes are hailed as 'the most secure banknote yet' by the Bank of England, thanks to their plastic material, and are used by most people nowadays. Britain's £50 notes have also had a plastic makeover.

It comes complete with two see-through windows and a two colour foil to help thwart counterfeiters.

A metallic hologram that changes between the word 'twenty' and 'pounds' when the note is tilted is also included in the design.

But some people might be lucky enough to find an old note lying about and be wondering 'can I still use it?'.

So, when do the old notes expire?

Paper £20 and £50 notes go out of circulation on Wednesday, September 30, 2022.

Until then, you can still use the old £20 notes as they are accepted as legal tender.

If you're looking to exchange any old notes, The Bank of England website has further information.

Details on the site read: 'On 20 February 2020 we issued a new polymer £20 note.

'Many banks will accept withdrawn notes as deposits from customers.

'The Post Office may also accept withdrawn notes as a deposit into any bank account you can access at the Post Office.

And, you can always exchange withdrawn notes with us.'

Alongside enhanced security measures, the new £20 notes can 'come alive' with a new Snapchat feature.

Follow these steps for a 'living artwork' on your smartphone:

The polymer £20 banknote features Romantic painter, JMW Turner.

Born in 1775 to a barber and wig maker, he is often dubbed one of the great masters of painting.

He first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1790 aged just 15 and over his lifetime produced more than 550 oil paintings, 2,000 watercolours, and 30,000 sketches and drawings.

The decision was made by Mark Carney, the former Governor of the Bank of England. He said: 'Turner is perhaps the single most influential British artist of all time. His work was transformative, bridging the classical and modern worlds.

'His influence spanned his lifetime and is still apparent today.'

The polymer will replace the paper £20 note which features economist Adam Smith.

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samedi 3 septembre 2022 00:21:30 Categories: Metro

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