What is the UK's Currency?
Currency: | pound sterling |
Currency code: | GBP |
Central Bank: | Bank of England |
Currency symbol: | £ (pound) |
Currency sub unit: | p (penny, pence) |
Nicknames: | Quid |
Bank notes: | £5, £10, £20, £50 |
Coins: | 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1, £2 |
The British Pounds is the 4th most traded currency in the world. It was first circulated in it's current decimal form in 1968.
The most commonly used bills for British Pounds are the £5, £10, £20, £50 and £100 notes. The most commonly used coins are the .01, .02, .05, .10, .20, .50, £1 and £2.
Easy Currency Bundle Options & SIMs for your Trip
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British pound |
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British pound | Euro |
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British pound | Euro |
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Choose from a range of eSIMs and SIM cards to suit your travel needs. |
![picture of the Travelex Money Card](/media/9856/tmc-card.png)
GBP Goes Further with the Travelex Money Card
- Our Travelex Money Card gives you better rates than Cash
- Receive even better rates when exchanging $2,000 and over
- Free delivery to your home or to your local Travelex store
What to spend your pounds on:
Entry to Westminster Abbey
20 Pounds
Pint of beer
4 Pounds
Fish and chips
5 Pounds
Postcard and a stamp
1.5 Pounds
3-mile taxi ride
15 Pounds
Buying British pounds online is easy
Order British pounds online, lock in the rate and collect at your local store or at the airport before you fly.
![sporting crowds in a stadium](https://www.travelex.com.au/media/11715/paris-olympics-and-euro24-crowds-in-stadium.jpg)
If you are heading to Europe for one of the many sporting events taking place in summer, plan ahead by ordering euros online and get our best AUD to EUR rates when ordering over $2,000 online. If your itinerary includes countries outside of the eurozone, you can choose from 50+ cash currencies.
Buy before you fly and collect in-store or get free home delivery (Travelex Money Card only). For more tips on managing your travel money, check out our Europe travel money guide and costs to go to Paris this summer.
Whether you’re going for gold medals or winning goals, don’t miss out on witnessing the world’s top athletes in Europe this year.