Our Banknotes
Throughout the centuries, our banknotes have helped build trust and stability as well as reflecting national pride.
Thanks to their attractive designs and extraordinary history, there is often demand to reproduce images of our banknotes in advertising, books, drama productions, exhibitions and other media.
Anyone wishing to reproduce our banknotes must apply for prior written consent. This applies to:
- all present and past note issues of The Royal Bank of Scotland itself
- all post 1708 note issues of banks acquired by The Royal Bank of Scotland Group
- all reproductions on any substance and on any scale, including modified or distorted reproductions
- reproductions of any part of a banknote
Useful guidelines
Our guidelines describe the kind of reproductions which are likely to be acceptable, and the process for securing consent. Download the guidelines (PDF, 34KB).
Apply for permission
Download our official application form (PDF, 27KB).
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- How old is the Royal Bank?
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The Royal Bank of Scotland itself was established by royal charter on 31 May 1727. Some of our constituent businesses are even older, dating back as far as the 1580s. You can learn more about them at RBS Heritage On-line.
- Is it true that Scottish banknotes are not legal tender?
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Yes, it is - but Bank of England notes aren't legal tender in Scotland either. Officially, the phrase 'legal tender' means money that a person is obliged to accept if offered it in payment of a debt. Under Scottish law, that does not include banknotes, which are classified as 'legal currency' but not 'legal tender'.
The only historical exception was during the two world wars, when as a temporary measure the government made banknotes legal tender in Scotland, as a way of reinforcing people’s trust in them. This was important in a time of shortages, when the government needed to be sure that people would not hoard gold.