Snapchat brings new £20 polymer note to life

The new £20 polymer note, which entered circulation last week, features the artist JMW Turner and his painting The Fighting Temeraire.

The Bank of England has worked with Snap to create an augmented reality surprise – the painting comes to life when viewed through a specially created Snapchat lens.

Ed Couchman, UK General Manager at Snapchat’s parent company Snap, says: “The launch of the new £20 will result in Turner’s paintings being amongst the most widely distributed artworks in the UK, maybe even the world.”

“We want to make sure that Snapchatters are encouraged to take note, look at the cash in their wallet and appreciate these great paintings. Hopefully, this partnership will help introduce a whole new generation to one of Britain’s greatest ever painters.”

“We're incredibly excited to launch the new polymer £20 note and are pleased to be partnering with Snapchat to bring the note to life in an entirely novel way,” says Sarah John, the Bank of England's Chief Cashier. 

“Turner is one of the most influential British artists and we're now bringing his art to the pockets of people all over the UK. I hope the public will enjoy using, and snapping, their Turner £20s.”

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