24 July 2013
Jane Austen announced as the face of the £10 note
14 September 2017
Current £10 note issued
5 June 2024
Issuance of banknotes featuring the portrait of King Charles III
Front of the Queen Elizabeth II note
Back of the Queen Elizabeth II note
Front of the King Charles III note
Back of the King Charles III note
Explore our £10 note
Drag the note or use the slider to find out about the features on the note
Hologram
The word changes between 'Ten' and 'Pounds' when the note is tilted.
See-through window
The foil is gold on the front of the note and silver on the back.
Raised dots
There are two clusters of raised dots in the top left hand corner to help blind and partially sighted people identify the value of the note.
Size
The higher the value of a note, the larger it is. This note is approximately 132mm x 69mm.
Copper foil patch
A book-shaped, copper foil patch contains the letters ‘JA’.
Historical character
Jane Austen's portrait was commissioned by her nephew in 1870.
Artwork
An illustration of Elizabeth Bennet, a character from Pride and Prejudice and Godmersham Park House.
Quote
'I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading!' was said by Miss Bingley in Pride and Prejudice.
Signature
Jane Austen's signature is from her will.
Copyright symbols
The international copyright symbol is on the front and back of the note.
Unique numbering
The numbers and letters in the vertical serial number are all the same height and colour. The horizontal serial number is multi-coloured and increases in height from left to right.
Ultra-violet number
Under ultra-violet light, the number '10' appears in bright red and green, against a duller background.
Print quality
The printed lines and colours on the note are sharp, clear and free from smudges or blurred edges.
Print quality
The value of the note is written in tiny letters and numbers below the monarch's portrait. This is visible with a magnifying glass.
The monarch's portrait
A portrait of the monarch is printed on the window with '£10 Bank of England' printed twice around the edge.
Raised print
You can feel raised print on the words ‘Bank of England’ and in the bottom right corner, around the number 10.
Silver foil patch
A silver foil patch contains a 3D image of the coronation crown.
Colour-changing quill
The quill changes from purple to orange when you tilt the note.
Key security features
Focus on these two key security features to help confirm that your notes are genuine:
Hologram image change
Tilt the note from side to side. Check the words change between 'Ten' and 'Pounds'.
See-through window
Look at the metallic image over the window. Check the foil is gold on the front of the note and silver on the back.
Other security features
Copper foil patch
A book-shaped, copper foil patch contains the letters ‘JA’. You will find this on the back of the note, directly behind the silver crown on the front of the note.
The monarch's portrait in the see-through window
A portrait of Queen Elizabeth II or King Charles III is printed on the window with '£10 Bank of England’ printed twice around the edge.
Colour-changing quill
When you tilt the note, a coloured quill at the side of the see-through window will change from purple to orange.
Silver foil patch
A silver foil patch contains a 3D image of the coronation crown. You will find this above the see-through window on the front of the note.
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. For example, on the words ‘Bank of England’ and in the bottom right corner, around the number '10'.
Print quality
The printed lines and colours on the note are sharp, clear and free from smudges or blurred edges. If you use a magnifying glass, you will see the value of the note written in small letters and numbers below the monarch's portrait.
Ultraviolet number
Under a good quality ultra-violet light, the number '10' appears in bright red and green on the front of the note, against a duller background.
Design features
Tactile feature
On the front of the note (the side with raised print), there are two clusters of raised dots in the top left hand corner. This tactile feature helps blind and partially sighted people identify the value of the note.
Size
The higher the value of a note, the larger it is. This note is approximately 132mm x 69mm.
Unique numbering
A unique serial number is printed horizontally and vertically on the back of the note. The horizontal number is in the bottom right corner. It is made up of multi-coloured letters and numbers, which increase in height from left to right. The vertical number runs down the left-hand side and the numbers and letters are the same height and colour.
Copyright symbols
The international copyright symbol is included on the front and back of the note, below the ‘Ten Pounds’ text.
Historical character
Jane Austen's portrait was commissioned by James Edward Austen Leigh (Jane Austen’s nephew) in 1870, adapted from an original sketch drawn by her sister Cassandra Austen in 1810.
Jane Austen was an English novelist who, using wit and social observation, provided astute insights into 19th century life, often praising the virtues of reason and intelligence and highlighting some of the barriers that society erected against the progression of women. Her books have been translated into over 40 languages of which there have been countless film and television adaptations.
Jane began to write when she was just 11 years old, and by the age of 23 she had already drafted early versions of some of her most famous novels, including Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. All of Jane’s work was published anonymously so, despite the fact her work was generally well received and even became fashionable in some circles, she achieved little recognition until after her death.
Artwork
There is an illustration of Elizabeth Bennet, a character from Pride and Prejudice. Beneath this image is Godmersham Park House, the estate owned by Jane Austen’s brother.
Quote
'I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading!’ was said by Miss Bingley in Pride and Prejudice.
Signature
Jane Austen's signature is from her will.
Resources
Download our free education materials to help check your banknotes.
You can also order our free education materials online:
Watch our short film showing the key security features on the £10 note
Exchanging old notes
The current £10 note replaces our paper £10 note which was withdrawn from circulation on 1 March 2018.
You may be able to deposit withdrawn notes at your own bank or with the Post Office. Alternatively, you can exchange withdrawn banknotes with selected Post Office branches or with the Bank of England.
Current notes
This page was last updated 31 October 2024