UK Notes and Coins

​The pound sterling is the official currency in the United Kingdom.

Overview

The Bank of England is the UK's central bank. It issues the UK's banknotes.

Coins are manufactured and issued by the Royal Mint.

Scottish and Northern Ireland banknotes are also available in the UK. These are issued by three banks in Scotland and three banks in Northern Ireland. The Bank of England regulates the issuance of these banknotes. 

Bank of England

See the Bank of England website for information on its banknotes.

The Royal Mint

See The Royal Mint website for information on all coins issued in the UK.

The Association of Commercial Banknote Issuers (ACBI)

See the Association of Commercial Banknote Issuers (ACBI) website for information on Scottish and Northern Ireland banknotes issued by Bank of Ireland, Bank of Scotland, Clydesdale Bank, Northern Bank (Danske Bank), The Royal Bank of Scotland and Ulster Bank.

The Committee of Scottish Bankers (CSCB)

The three Scottish banks that issue banknotes, Bank of Scotland, Clydesdale and RBS have each issued £5, £10 and £20 notes on polymer. Bank of Scotland have also issued £50 and £100 polymer notes, and The Royal Bank of Scotland has issued a £50 polymer note.

The Northern Ireland note-issuing banks have issued polymer notes as follows:

  • Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank each issued polymer £5, £10 and £20 notes, and Ulster Bank has also issued a polymer £50 note. Danske Bank has issued polymer £10 and £20 notes. 

Other note-issuing authorities

The Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey also issue banknotes in the British Islands. For more information, contact:
 
The Treasury
Isle of Man Government
Bucks Road
Douglas
Isle of Man IM1 3PX
https://www.gov.im
 
States of Jersey Treasury
States Treasury
Cyril Le Marquand House
PO Box 353
St Helier
Jersey JE4 8UL
http://www.gov.je
 
States of Guernsey
The Charles Frossard House
PO Box 43
La Charroterie
St Peter Port
Guernsey GY1 1FH
https://www.gov.gg

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This page was last updated 31 January 2023