Bread Line Design

Getting the train from Glasgow to London is always a dull, cramped and frequently sweaty affair, but the anticipation of unloading a wedge of Scottish bank notes on English shops always makes the journey that little more bearable. I look forward to arguing with stubborn store staff who refuse to take our “monopoly money”. It never fails to put a smile on my face.

For those not in the know, Scotland shares the same currency as England (pounds sterling) but unlike our southern friends we have not one bank printing notes but three, and not satisfied with three types of note, each bank produces variations to mark special events or to simply one-up the bank next door. The net result? More than 15 different types of bank note, a selection of them appear here.

I’m proud of Scotland’s individuality and believe a currency distinguished from England’s is a positive thing, however the excessive number of note designs in circulation surely serves to only to dilute national identity, make life easier for fraudsters and confuse the hell out of tourists.

South of the border Scottish currency is viewed with at best with suspicion, and worst flat rejection. The cause isn’t helped much by the law either with Scottish notes not actually being legal tender. It’s a great shame. Scotland already struggles with its identity, being known more for its past and poor health than its fast moving I.T and Medical industries (although rising stars like Andrew Murray and James Mcavoy are helping improve Scotland’s image). A confused currency isn’t Scotland’s only identity problem either, it still has two flags, and can’t decide on a national anthem.

The banks and devolved government need to get on top of currency design. Internationally currency is a nations business card. I can clearly picture an American dollar, could an American clearly picture one of the five Scottish fivers? Unifying currency design plays a small but important role in unifying a nations identity and it be great to see Scotlands updated and standardized, at least until we get the Euro, but that’s a whole other argument…