Bank of England Picks Puffin, Owl, Bee, Hedgehog for Notes

The Atlantic puffin, barn owl, buff-tailed bumblebee and European hedgehog will appear on the next generation of Bank of England banknotes, the central bank announced on October 8. The four creatures were chosen from a shortlist of 18 animals after nearly half a million people cast votes, and the central bank has not yet decided which species will land on which denomination — the £5, £10, £20 or £50 note.

The public response came from wildlife enthusiasts, hobbyists and, according to the Bank, primary school classes that voted as a group. In total, 478,531 people submitted 2.5 million votes, selecting up to six animals each from categories covering mammals, birds, amphibians, insects and fish.

Which animal got the most votes?

The buff-tailed bumblebee ran away with its category, drawing 360,399 votes — nearly 90,000 more than the barn owl, its nearest category rival. The hedgehog topped the mammal category. The puffin, by contrast, did not win the marine or bird vote outright: the red fox and the common kingfisher each drew more support in their categories than the puffin did in its own, the Bank said. Officials added the puffin anyway, saying it was the most popular marine species and that its inclusion would make the four denominations easier to tell apart while giving the series a nod to the British coastline.

Why is wildlife replacing historical figures?

The redesign removes notable figures from history — the Bank cited Sir Winston Churchill as an example — from circulation over time, a decision that has "angered a number of leading politicians," according to the BBC. The monarch will remain on the reverse of every note regardless of which animal is chosen for the front. Victoria Cleland, the Bank's chief cashier, said the four finalists were picked because they "showcase the great variety of wildlife we have in the UK" while also helping "enhance the security of our banknotes."

What happens next in the design process?

• Designers will combine the four animals with other shortlisted species and natural imagery as secondary elements on each note.
• Rhys Phillips, the Bank's incoming chief cashier, said the designs remain in early stages and will not be unveiled publicly until closer to launch.
• The Bank will pair the final artwork with new security features and materials, a process Phillips said "could take years."
• No denomination-to-animal pairing has been confirmed, and no launch date has been set.

Has wildlife appeared on UK notes before?

Yes, though not from the Bank of England. The Royal Bank of Scotland already issues notes featuring mackerel, otters, red squirrels and ospreys. The puffin and bumblebee also already appear on the Royal Mint's redesigned 20p and £1 coins, respectively, giving the new banknote series a visual link to coins already in pockets.

What should note-holders watch for?

• Confirmation of which animal lands on which denomination.
• A public unveiling of final artwork, expected only as launch nears.
• Details on security upgrades tied to the new materials and printing process.
• Any political response to the removal of historical figures from circulating cash.