There are two ways to check the £20 polymer note: a quick check and a more thorough test of the banknote’s authenticity.
Quick Check
To quickly check the polymer banknotes, use these two tests:
- Hologram image change: Tilt the note side by side to view the hologram change from ‘note value’ to the word ‘pounds’.
- See-through window: In the second window at the bottom right, check the foil image is gold on the back but blue on the front.
Thoroughly check the £20 polymer banknote for authenticity.
Time needed: 3 minutes
By following these steps, you can verify the authenticity of the polymer £20 JMW Turner note.
- Observe the see-through window.
A portrait of the Queen is printed on the see-through window with ‘£20 Bank of England’ printed twice around the edge.
- Check the foil patch.
A silver foil patch contains a 3D image of the coronation crown above the main see-through window on the front of the note.
- Feel for raised print.
On the front of the £20 polymer note, you can feel the raised print on the words ‘Bank of England’ and in the bottom right corner, over the smaller window.
- Inspect for print quality.
The printed lines and colours on the note are sharp and clear, with no smudges or blurred edges.
- Use a magnifying glass.
Use a magnifying glass to see the note’s value in small letters and numbers below the Queen’s portrait.
- Use a UV light.
Under a good-quality ultraviolet light, the number ’20’ appears in bright red and green on the front of the note against a duller background.
- View the purple foil patch.
A round, purple foil patch contains the letter ‘T’. You will find this on the back of the note, directly behind the silver crown on the front.
By following these steps, you can verify the security of the polymer £20 JMW Turner note.
