Note: This advice is given by the CAP Executive about non-broadcast advertising. It does not constitute legal advice. It does not bind CAP, CAP advisory panels or the Advertising Standards Authority.
Under the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981 and copyright law, the reproduction of any Bank of England note, past or present, requires the prior written consent of the Bank of England. The Bank ensures that any reproduction cannot be used to defraud the public and does not portray the Queen in an offensive or disrespectful manner.
Reproductions of notes are normally expected to meet these criteria: they must not be the same size as bank notes (if they are smaller, they must be at most two thirds as long and at most two thirds as wide. If they are larger, they must be at least one and a half times as long and at least one and a half times as wide ); reproductions of parts of notes must be in the same proportions; notes should normally be shown on the slant and not flat to camera and they should form part of a larger pictorial design.
Marketers wanting to reproduce a bank note should contact the Notes Reproductions Officer at the Notes Division, Bank of England. Alternatively, they may complete a Banknote Reproductions Application Form, available on the Bank of England’s website.
Marketers wanting to reproduce Euro notes have a little more latitude. As long as they cannot be mistaken for genuine banknotes, reproductions in advertising or illustrations can be used without prior authorisation of the European Central Bank. Marketers can get more information on the European Central Bank website.
For information about the reproduction of United Kingdom coins please see the Royal Mint website.
Updated 4 April 2016