20 Pounds

The States of Guernsey introduced an updated 20 Pounds banknote on January 19, 2023 with enhanced security features designed to combat counterfeiting. The note displays Queen Elizabeth II's portrait on the obverse and features traditional Guernsey design elements including the Guernsey lily, St. James Concert Hall in Saint Peter Port, and the seal of the Bailiwick flanked by olive branches. The banknote is printed in red, blue, green, brown, orange, and yellow, creating a distinctive multicolor appearance.

The primary security advancement for this highest-denomination note is the introduction of the NEXUS embedded stripe — an 18 mm wide embedded holographic element with integrated security effects visible on both the obverse and reverse. This represents one of the most sophisticated security features in the updated Guernsey series, appropriate for the highest-value denomination. The NEXUS technology provides security effects that are clearly visible to the general public while remaining extremely difficult to reproduce.

St. James Concert Hall, depicted on the reverse, is one of Guernsey's most beloved cultural venues, converted from a former Anglican church and hosting regular classical music performances and cultural events. Its inclusion on the 20 Pounds note alongside the Guernsey lily reflects the island's commitment to celebrating both its natural and cultural heritage on its highest denomination.