Bank of England to release new £50 notes

by Richard Kilner

Story link: Bank of England to release new £50 notes

The Bank of England’s governor, Mervyn King, has announced that the new faces to feature on the £50 note are to be the businessman Matthew Boulton and engineer James Watt.

King made the announcement during the opening of the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery’s new Matthew Boulton exhibition.

The Governor explained that both Boulton and Watt played significant roles in the economic progression that occurred during the Industrial Revolution through a number of new inventions, particularly steam engines.

King went on to say that the Bank of England enjoyed a unique position in promoting the rich historical heritage the United Kingdom enjoys by portraying some of the nation’s greatest sons on its bank notes.

The new £50 bank note is set for release in a year and a half, and follows the recently updated £20 bank note, featuring Adam Smith, who replaced Sir Edward Elgar.