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5 Pounds, Bank of England, England, 2016–2018 (Pick 394)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · partial

Period

2016-2018

Issuing entity

United Kingdom

This 5 Pounds note was issued in England by the Bank of England, with dates recorded from 2016–2018. It belongs to the Pound sterling (decimalized, 1971-date) currency system. Issuing authority and period recorded in the catalogue: Elizabeth II (1952-2022). It measures 125 × 65 mm and is printed on polymer. The Standard Catalog of World Paper Money lists the type as Pick 394.

Obverse: Blue-turquoise. Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II at right, Bank of England in centre, image of Elizabeth Tower (housing Big Ben) over transparent window at left. Its lettering reads “£ 5 Bank of England / I PROMISE TO PAY THE BEARER ON DEMAND THE SUM OF FIVE POUNDS 5 / £ 5 / BANK OF ENGLAND / LONDON / FOR THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY / OF THE BANK OF ENGLAND / Victoria Cleland / CHIEF CASHIER / FIVE / £ 5 BANK OF ENGLAND £ 5 BANK OF ENGLAND / FIVEPOUNDS / 5 / 5POUNDS / Five / Pounds FIVE / BANK OF ENGLAND / Five Pounds / £ 5”.

Reverse: A portrait of Sir Winston Churchill at centre, at left a view of Westminster, and the Elizabeth Tower (housing Big Ben) from London’s South Bank, looking across Westminster Bridge. Part of motto on the Nobel Prize in literature "Inventas vitam iuvat excoluisse per artes" depicted on medal above the building. Its lettering reads “5 Bank of England £ 5 / 1953 NOBEL PRIZE IN LITERATURE / AWARDED TO SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL / TAS·VITAM·IUVAT· EXCOLLUISE PER / BOE / Winston. Churchill / Five Pounds / I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat / Sir Winston Churchill 1874-1965”. Translation given in the catalogue: “It is beneficial to have improved (human) life through discovered arts”.

Watermark: Crowned portrait of Queen Elizabeth II over clear window. Issue date recorded in the catalogue: 13 September 2016. Identification note: match the value, issuing bank, printed date and Pick number together; dates and signature combinations distinguish sub-varieties, which are not separated in this entry. Details follow the Numista catalogue entry and the Standard Catalog reference it cites; they have not been checked against a central-bank archive.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
2
Photograph views
2
Catalogue references
2

Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.

Historical context

' Key Security Features: Hologram Text changes between 'Five' and 'Pounds' as the note is titled from side to side; See through window Metallic image to main window is gold on the front and silver on the back. Other Security Features: Silver foil patch A silver foil patch contains a 3D image of the coronation crown; Green foil patch A circular green foil patch contains the letters spelling 'BLENHEIM'; Colour-changing border A coloured border around the see-through window will change from purple to green when tilted. Feel of polymer and raised print The note is printed on polymer, which is a thin and flexible plastic material. On the front of the note, you can feel raised print; Print quality The printed lines and colours on the note are sharp, clear and free from smudges or blurred edges; Ultraviolet number Under a good quality ultraviolet light, the number '5' appears in bright red and yellow on the front of the note. UV activity:

Physical characteristics

Size
125 × 65 mm
Shape
Rectangular
Material
Polymer
Watermark
Crowned portrait of Queen Elizabeth II over clear window.

Technical characteristics

Currency
Pound sterling (decimalized, 1971-date)
Issuing bank
Bank of England

Design

Obverse
Blue-turquoise. Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II at right, Bank of England in centre, image of Elizabeth Tower (housing Big Ben) over transparent window at left.
Reverse
A portrait of Sir Winston Churchill at centre, at left a view of Westminster, and the Elizabeth Tower (housing Big Ben) from London’s South Bank, looking across Westminster Bridge. Part of motto on the Nobel Prize in literature "Inventas vitam iuvat excoluisse per artes" depicted on medal above the building.
Obverse lettering
£ 5 Bank of England / I PROMISE TO PAY THE BEARER ON DEMAND THE SUM OF FIVE POUNDS 5 / £ 5 / BANK OF ENGLAND / LONDON / FOR THE GOVERNOR AND COMPANY / OF THE BANK OF ENGLAND / Victoria Cleland / CHIEF CASHIER / FIVE / £ 5 BANK OF ENGLAND £ 5 BANK OF ENGLAND / FIVEPOUNDS / 5 / 5POUNDS / Five / Pounds FIVE / BANK OF ENGLAND / Five Pounds / £ 5
Reverse lettering
5 Bank of England £ 5 / 1953 NOBEL PRIZE IN LITERATURE / AWARDED TO SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL / TAS·VITAM·IUVAT· EXCOLLUISE PER / BOE / Winston. Churchill / Five Pounds / I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat / Sir Winston Churchill 1874-1965

Identification

Value
5 Pounds
Dates recorded
2016-2018
Distinguishing features
Printed date and signature combination separate sub-varieties
Catalogue number to match
Pick 394

Documentation checklist

Denomination
Research required
Issue or mint date
Recorded
Material
Recorded
Weight
Research required
Mint or printer
Research required
Mint or printer mark
Research required
Catalogue reference
Recorded
Attached photograph (check rights)
Recorded

Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.

Catalogue references

  • Standard Catalog of World Paper Money (Pick)P394
  • NumistaN# 201624

Research required

  • Confirm date and signature varieties against the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money.
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