People across the UK are being advised to check their five-pound notes for a special tiny image that could potentially be worth £50,000. These unique notes, featuring a minuscule portrait of a famous author on the transparent plastic section, were created by artist Graham Short in 2016 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s passing.
The distinct feature to look out for is Austen’s image on the see-through part of the note, located near Big Ben. Only a few of these notes were engraved by Short, making them extremely rare and highly valuable. In a recent TikTok video, numismatic expert The Coin Collector UK encouraged individuals to inspect their fivers for this special design.
The note serial numbers to watch for are: AM32 885551, AM32 885552, AM32 885553, and AM32 885554. Each of the four notes was spent in a different country within the UK – England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. As of now, three of these rare notes have been found, leaving just one undiscovered.
The estimated worth of these notes is in the tens of thousands due to their scarcity and the intricate work put into producing them. Short, the artist behind these unique creations, has previously worked on similar projects, such as engraving five-pound notes with Harry Kane’s face after he won the Golden Boot at the World Cup. Additionally, he engraved the Queen’s portrait on a speck of gold, which sold for £100,000.
The opportunity to find one of these valuable fivers is still out there, with the potential to stumble upon a note that could fetch a substantial sum. It serves as a reminder to always keep an eye out for the extraordinary and unexpected, even in everyday items like currency. The chance to uncover a hidden treasure within a five-pound note adds an element of excitement to the mundane task of checking one’s wallet, transforming it into a thrilling treasure hunt.