A new £50 note has been announced by Bank of England Governor Mark Carney to celebrate the UK’s achievement in science.
It was detailed when Carney spoke at the Science Museum on Friday that it will be up to the public to make suggestions as to who will feature on the new currency.
Over the next six weeks, people can vote via the bank’s website which scientist from fields such as biology, astronomy and medical research they want to see on the note.
Mr Carney, who will make the final decision and announce it next year, asked the public to “think science” when putting forward names.
“The invention here of the steam engine, the electric motor, the telegraph, powered the first two industrial revolutions,” he said.
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“In medicine and biology, the discoveries of penicillin, X-rays and the double helix by British scientists afforded people healthier and longer lives.”
The roll-out date is yet to be revealed but it will see the last of the paper notes removed from circulation.
The note will be the last upgraded to a plastic polymer version, with the £20 no longer being manufactured out of paper from 2020 when it will be replaced by a design featuring artist JMW Turner.
The new £50 note will replace the current paper note which features industrial revolution pioneers Matthew Boulton and James Watt.
That issue was introduced in 2011, but there were concerns about the notes being used for money laundering and tax evasion.
The Bank said nominations must be of someone who is dead – no-one living can feature on a note – and a real person.
This will prevent another “Boaty McBoatface” scenario where the fictional name for a research vessel attracted the most votes in a public campaign.
Mr Carney said: “So, I’m afraid, no Time Lords from whatever gender are eligible.”
He said he does not believe it will be the final £50 introduced, nor does he fear the public will come up with an all-male list because there is a “rich heritage of female scientists here”.
He did, however, dismiss fellow finance experts, saying: “I have ruled out economists.”
When asked what his preference would be, he said he remains “open-minded”.
Among those on the advisory committee creating a shortlist for the governor are scientists Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Dr Emily Grossman, Professor Simon Schaffer and Dr Simon Singh.
Nominations close on December 14, and Mr Carney said the announcement should be made by next summer.
Back in September 2016 the Bank of England began issuing the new polymer £5 note, which was the first to be issued in England and Wales.
Last year in 2017, a polymer £10 note bagel replacing its paper equivalent.