Misty Krueger

2017 marked the bicentenary of Austen’s death, and the birth of two new pieces of British money: a £2 coin and a £10 bank note.

The Coin

The coin, as explained by the Royal Mint:

Unfortunately, before I left England in August I did not acquire one of these coins. They were sold in gift shops, but I chose not to purchase one. I didn’t find one in circulation, either.

Most people probably do not stop to think, “Who designed this coin?” Well, luckily I found out more about the designer when I was hunting book benches on the Sitting with Jane art trail.

Dominque Evans designed this coin, and here’s what she says inspired her. Hint: the silhouette! Evans’ sketch appears below:

The bench, There is No Doing without Money, features Evans’ design.

The Bank Note

Plenty of videos and websites talk about the bank note, from its design and tactility, to its inclusion of a woman writer on the tenner. Read the Evening Standard‘s article for more information.

Check out some of the features of the new note:

The front

The back

Good news for Brits: the bank note was released officially today! Can you believe that people are already selling them on Ebay for double the value? Get this: people are looking at the print run number to see if their note is more valuable than others, too. The lower the number, the greater the value. OMG!

In the picture above you see my thumb and the note I held on July 18 in Winchester. I had to return it before I exited Winchester Cathedral, unfortunately. So, who wants to send me a coin and tenner? Anyone?? Pleeeeasse?