Bank of Scotland £50 note facts for kids
| (United Kingdom) | |
|---|---|
| Value | £50 sterling |
| Width | 146 mm |
| Height | 77 mm |
| Security features | Raised print, metallic thread, watermark, microlettering, UV feature, iridescent band, see-through registration device |
| Paper type | Polymer |
| Years of printing | 1695–present 2021–present (current design) |
| Obverse | |
| Design | Walter Scott |
| Design date | 2021 |
| Reverse | |
| Design | Falkirk Wheel and The Kelpies |
| Design date | 2021 |
The Bank of Scotland £50 note is a special kind of money, like a paper (or plastic!) bill. It's one of five different types of banknotes made by the Bank of Scotland. This £50 note is the second biggest value they print. The newest version, made from a strong plastic material called polymer, came out in 2021. On the front, you'll see a picture of Walter Scott, a famous Scottish writer. On the back, it shows two amazing Scottish landmarks: the Falkirk Wheel and The Kelpies.
Contents
The Story of the £50 Note
How Scottish Banknotes Began
Paper money first started in Scotland way back in 1695. This was right after the Bank of Scotland was created. The very first banknotes were simple. They were printed in just one color and only on one side.
Are Scottish Notes Legal Money?
Scottish banknotes are a bit different from notes made by the Bank of England. They are not technically legal tender everywhere in the United Kingdom. However, they are still considered legal currency. This means they are generally accepted as payment across the whole United Kingdom. If you have a Scottish banknote, it has the same protection as a Bank of England note.
The Tercentenary Series (1995)
In 1995, the Bank of Scotland released a new set of notes. This was to celebrate their 300th birthday! They called this the Tercentenary series. Each note in this series, including the £50 note, had a picture of Walter Scott on the front.
The £50 note in this series had a special triangle shape on the front. This helped people with poor eyesight tell it apart from other notes. On the back of the £50 note, there was a picture of The Mound. This is where the bank's main office is located. The back of the £50 note also showed symbols of Scotland's art and culture.
The Bridges Series (2007)
A new set of banknotes, called the Bridges series, came out in 2007. These notes replaced the older Tercentenary ones. The size and color of the notes stayed mostly the same. Walter Scott was still on the front of the notes.
The picture of The Mound was moved to the front of the note. A new design appeared on the back: the Falkirk Wheel. This is a cool rotating boat lift in Scotland. The words on the notes were updated to look more modern. Also, new, larger numbers were added to help people with poor eyesight.
The Polymer £50 Note (2021)
On July 1, 2021, a brand new £50 note was introduced. This one is made from a special plastic material called polymer. Polymer notes are stronger and last longer than paper notes. This new note replaced the older paper versions.
The polymer £50 note is red, which is different from the green paper notes. It features the amazing Falkirk Wheel and The Kelpies on the back. The Kelpies are giant horse-head sculptures.
Different Designs Over Time
Here's a quick look at how the £50 note designs have changed:
| Note Series | First Issued | Main Color | Size | What's on the Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tercentenary | 1995 | Green | 156 × 85 mm | Front: Walter Scott; Back: Arts and culture |
| Bridges | 17 September 2007 | Green | 156 × 85 mm | Front: Walter Scott; Back: Falkirk Wheel |
| Bridges (Polymer) | 1 July 2021 | Red | 146 x 77 mm | Front: Walter Scott; Back: Falkirk Wheel and Kelpies |
