A collection of rare banknotes that featured King Charles III earned nearly £1 million at a recent charity auction. “King Charles III banknote auctions and ballot raised £914,127 for charity! 🎉,” the official Bank of England Instagram account announced on Monday, August 12. “Following the issuance of our new banknotes, @spink_auctions held charity auctions and a ballot for new low serial numbered banknotes.
The proceeds will be shared between ten of our current and past charities of the year.” The Bank of England partnered with Spink Auctions to put up a few limited edition £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes with the monarch’s face up for grabs. Their donation included a selection of sheets as well.
The funds raised will go to several nonprofit organizations including the World Wildlife Fund, the Childhood Trust, the Brain Tumor Charity, Samaritans, Carers and more. According to the Tatler , the lowest serial number was on a £10 note, which was “HB01 000002.” The item ended up selling for £17,000.
A £50 note with the serial number “000003” sold for £14,000 while a £5 note with the same number sold for £11,000. A sheet of 40 £50 notes earned the biggest sale at the auction for £26,000. The currency’s serial numbers are what make the pieces so unique.
Charles, 75, currently possesses the one with the serial number “000001.” Charles’ face was added to British currency earlier this year. This is the first time the Bank of England has changed the.