Bank of England Series F £20 Banknote
Currency, Numismatic Art, Banknote on Cotton-Paper • Bank of England (Design team under the authority of Chief Cashier Andrew Bailey)
Style & Movement
Modern Numismatic Design / Industrial Security Art
Medium & Technique
Intaglio printing, offset lithography, and holographic foil application on cotton fiber paper
Creation Period
2007 - 2020 (Circulated)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 149mm x 80mm; Landscape orientation
Subject Description
Features a portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse. Iconography includes the Bank of England's Coat of Arms, a holographic strip, and a see-through window feature. The design incorporates complex guilloche patterns for security.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; Circulated condition with visible vertical and horizontal folding, surface soiling, and edge wear.
Estimated Market Value
£20.00 (Face Value)
Auction Estimate
£20.00 - £25.00 (depending on serial number rarity and grading)
Provenance History
Issued by the Bank of England for general circulation; typical of a currency note transitioning from active tender to a collector's item after being replaced by polymer notes.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the last generation of paper-based £20 notes in the UK before the transition to polymer; captures the transition of modern security engravings and the late-period state portraiture of Queen Elizabeth II.
Notable Features
Includes the signature of Chief Cashier Andrew Bailey; features the Adam Smith motif on the reverse (implied by Series F); contains a 3D image of the £ sign within the holographic foil.
Condition Issues
Significant creasing/folding from circulation, minor corner blunting, possible micro-tears at the fold intersections, and generalized surface grime.
Conservation Recommendations
Store in a PVC-free, acid-free archival currency sleeve. Keep in a climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight to prevent further fading of the ink.