The Bank of England has closed nominations for who will be the new face on the UK’s new £50 note. The Bank’s governor, Mark Carney, and his board will now decide who should be afforded the honour of having his face on more than 330 million notes expected to be put into circulation before the whole process is started all over again.
The Bank of England uses its banknotes to celebrate the diversity of UK society and highlight the contributions of its greatest citizens, though all notes also feature an updated portrait of The Queen and there will also be a new signature on the banknote this year with Sarah John having taken over the role of chief cashier of the Bank of England.
What we do know is that the new note will feature a prominent British scientist with nominations received in all forms of science. Margaret Thatcher even appears on the short-list for her former work as a chemist, though opponents regard her nomination as a back-door attempt to get the former Prime Minister honoured.
Professor Stephen Hawking (4/5 with Coral) is sure to be one of the most popular front-runners. The University of Cambridge cosmologist was one of the most recognisable scientists in the world up to his death a year ago. Computer pioneer and codebreaker Alan Turing played a pivotal role in helping the Allies defeat Nazi Germany before falling foul of laws prohibiting homosexuality. Posthumously pardoned in 2013, it would be fitting if he was honoured with a place on the new banknote and he is 5/2 with Coral who rate Ada Lovelace and Rosalind Franklin, two of Britain’s most renowned women scientists at 6/1 and 8/1 respectively. Mary Seacole, James Clerk Maxwell and Sir Frank Whittle are other names though to have been short-listed.
Portrait on New £50 Note Betting
Stephen Hawking 4/5
Alan Turing 5/2
Ada Lovelace 6/1
Rosalind Franklin 8/1
Mary Seacole and James Clerk Maxwell 20/1
Frank Whittle 33/1
Margaret Thatcher 50/1
(Odds correct at 1.30pm January 21)
