Will a Frog Replace Churchill on New British Banknotes?

A surreal scene featuring a giant, realistic toad sitting in a misty pond, staring at a silhouette of Winston Churchill standing in a formal suit with a cane, symbolizing the Bank of England's plan to replace historical figures on banknotes with wildlife.

Do you happen to know whose face is on the US $100 bill?

Yes, exactly. Benjamin Franklin. That was far too easy, wasn't it?

But imagine for a second: what if the face on that $100 bill were replaced? And not by another historical figure, but by a wild animal. Honestly, even as I write this, I find myself chuckling at the absurdity. It sounds completely nonsensical.

Yet this seemingly ridiculous scenario is actively unfolding right now in one specific country: the United Kingdom.

The Great British Banknote Shake-Up

This past March, the Bank of England dropped a bombshell that turned the British political landscape upside down. Their plan? To wipe historical figures off their banknotes entirely and replace them with wildlife.

A side-by-side comparison of British banknotes showing the current design featuring historical figures like Winston Churchill and Jane Austen on the left, and the proposed new designs featuring animals like a frog, a hare, and a hedgehog on the right.

The proposed transition from historical figures to British wildlife on banknotes

Currently, the £5 note, worth roughly seven US dollars, features the iconic former Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The £10 note honors novelist Jane Austen, the £20 note showcases painter J.M.W. Turner, and the £50 note is dedicated to mathematician Alan Turing.

The central bank intends to sweep all of these figures aside to make room for animals.

Political Fury vs. A Granddaughter's Grace

Naturally, the political sphere erupted.

Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, fiercely criticized the proposal, calling it absolutely crazy to replace Churchill with a beaver. Ed Davey of the Liberal Democrats sarcastically pointed out that with a war raging in Europe, the timing could not be worse. Kemi Badenoch of the Conservative Party dismissed the entire initiative as foolish.

Ironically, the most composed response came from Churchill's own granddaughter, Emma Soames.

"Nobody in the family ever thought my grandfather's face would remain on the banknote forever. If an animal is to take his place, I think a very brave animal would be fitting."

So where does the British public stand?

A Bank of England survey of 44,000 citizens produced a surprising result. A solid 60% supported replacing historical figures with nature and wildlife. Only about 38% wanted to keep the status quo.

From Churchill to Dolphins: The Final Candidates

Despite the controversy, the Bank of England is pressing forward exactly as planned.

They assembled a panel of six wildlife experts who selected 18 final animal candidates, divided into three categories.

A chart showcasing the 18 final wildlife candidates for the new British banknotes, organized into three categories: Mammals, Birds, and Amphibians/Insects/Fish, featuring animals such as dolphins, eagles, and frogs.

The 18 final wildlife candidates categorized for the banknote redesign

For mammals, the contenders include the bottlenose dolphin, the brown hare, and the red fox. In the bird category, the kingfisher, the curlew, and the white-tailed eagle made the cut. The amphibians, insects, and fish category features the Atlantic salmon, the basking shark, the frog, and the emperor dragonfly.

Citizens can select up to six species total, with a maximum of two per category. Voting closes on July 3rd. The final decision rests with the Bank of England Governor, with results expected later this year.

The Real Reason Behind the Purge

The central bank has been quick to clarify that this is not merely a cosmetic makeover. They argue it is a necessary anti-counterfeiting measure. Banknote illustrations must be updated on a regular cycle to stay ahead of forgers, and they maintain that intricate animal drawings are actually more compatible with advanced security technologies.

"However, there is another highly plausible interpretation: this is a calculated move to escape the endless controversies over gender, race, and political bias that come with selecting historical figures."

And there is real merit to that theory. Excluding Queen Elizabeth II, the UK has never featured a female figure on its banknotes, nor has a person from a Black or ethnic minority background ever appeared on one.

Even after the winning animals are selected, do not expect to see them in your wallet anytime soon. Rigorous anti-counterfeiting tests and design mock-ups mean it will be a few more years before these new notes enter circulation.

What wildlife will the British public ultimately choose to represent their currency? It may be another country's money, but I am genuinely looking forward to the result. Personally, I am rooting for the bottlenose dolphin on the back of the £5 note.

I would love to hear your take on this. Let me know in the comments.

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