Queen Elizabeth II banknotes

Elizabeth II appears on banknotes from over thirty different territories over seventy years. No other face has been on the currency of so many countries for so long, making her portrait one of the most rewarding thematic threads for building a collection.

The same face, five ages

What makes this collection special is that the portrait changed. The official portraits were updated several times since 1952, and a trained collector dates a banknote by the queen's age before looking at the date. An entire series can be assembled by following only this evolution, from the young woman of the 1950s to the final circulation issues.

Where to look

In addition to the United Kingdom, her effigy was issued by Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Eastern Caribbean islands, Bahamas, Bermuda, Fiji, the Falkland Islands, Saint Helena, Gibraltar, and the regional pounds of Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man. Many of these territories have small print runs, so the difficulty of the collection is not in the price but in finding them.

A collection that continues to grow

Circulation currency has been transitioning to the new portrait since 2022, but that doesn't close the collection: issuing banks continue to release commemorative notes dedicated to Elizabeth II, with short runs and limited numbering. The circulation part is closed; the commemorative part is still alive, and usually sells out quickly.

Condition of each piece

The actual condition and Pick reference are always indicated. Part of the collection is certified by PMG. Shipping is protected and tracked from Spain.