New notes offer artists a chance to enter the history books

Thursday 03 October 2024

Artists connected to the Bailiwick of Guernsey have a chance to make history, as the States ask creatives to come up with new bank note designs.

It’s the first time Bailiwick banknotes will sport fresh artwork since the 1990’s, and the opportunity is there for artists and designers with ‘strong connections to the island’ to get involved.

There’s a brief available to interested creatives, but it’s only available upon request.

If you want your chance to pretty up our pound notes you’ll need to reach out to GuernseyBanknotes@gov.gg.

Pictured: The Bank of England ditched paper notes at the end of January 2020. 

Bethan Haines, States Treasurer, said: “This is a unique opportunity for artists, designers and creative agencies to have their ideas for new banknotes become part of our cultural heritage in the years to come. It has been some 30 years since our notes were last redesigned and now is the right time to update them.

“Our notes are still printed on paper which is becoming much more difficult to source with the closure of paper mills, meaning we’ll need to move onto polymer.”

Artists will be able to apply their designs to every note denomination, from the humble £1 up to £20 notes.

However the £50 note design may not actually be put into production. Officials say this is because of the ‘limited use’ of the specific note. 

Pictured: Your artwork could take the place of St.Sampsons Church...and then used to buy lunch. 

Successful applicants whose artwork will adorn the denominations will have a little wait to use their creative designs to purchase lunch though.

Winning entries will be passed on to the De La Rue design team, then they’ll need to go into production, with checks and balances along the way, meaning the new notes should enter circulation in 2027. 

If you’d like to find out more, you can find it on the States of Guernsey Website.