5 Pounds
Saint Helena · Government of St. Helena
The Saint Helena 5 Pounds note was officially issued in January 2026, featuring a portrait of King Charles III on the obverse. The reverse displays Jonathan the Tortoise, the world's oldest living terrestrial animal (hatched circa 1832), and the St Helena Ebony (Trochetiopsis ebenus), an endemic plant of the island. The note is printed on polymer substrate, marking the territory's transition from paper to polymer for enhanced durability and security.
Highlights
ReasonPart of Saint Helena's first polymer banknote series, updating the currency with the portrait of King Charles III.
DesignKing Charles III on the front; Jonathan the Tortoise and St Helena Ebony among the design elements.
Security featuresRaised intaglio ink, tactile marks for accessibility, microprinted text, and UV-reactive inks.
Sources