The Bank of England has issued a new-style £50 note into circulation as of 2 November 2011.
The note features the renowned 18th century business partnership of entrepreneur Matthew Boulton and engineer James Watt.
A range of new and enhanced security features have been incorporated into the design of the Boulton and Watt £50 banknote. These include, for the first time on a Bank of England note, a motion thread. On each note, the green motion thread has five windows along its length, running from the top to the bottom. The windows contain images of the £ symbol and the number 50. When the note is tilted from side to side, the images move up and down. When the note is tilted up and down, the images move from side to side and the number 50 and the £ symbol switch. The thread is woven into the paper, not printed on it.
The Boulton and Watt £50 banknote marks the first time two portraits have appeared together on the back of a Bank of England banknote. It will also be the first banknote in circulation to be signed by Chris Salmon, who was appointed as the Bank’s Executive Director for Banking Services and Chief Cashier in April 2011.
Commenting on the features of the new note, he said: “The Boulton and Watt £50 banknote has new and enhanced security features which demonstrate the Bank’s commitment to its role of maintaining public confidence in the currency. The motion thread security feature is one of the new measures which should help members of the public to identify genuine £50 banknotes.
Commenting on the new note, Bank of England Governor, Mervyn King said: “The Bank is delighted to acknowledge the invaluable contribution that Boulton and Watt made to the advancement of engineering by featuring them on the new £50 banknote. Boulton and Watt’s steam engines and their many other innovations were essential factors in the nation’s Industrial Revolution.”
