Beauty and the banknote: images of women on paper money

Abstract

Images of women have adorned paper money accross the world for almost two hundred years. They have been summoned to proclaim the wealth of a bank, the power of a state, or the glory of a nation. Beyond their official role, they reveal how female figures on mass-produced objects both reflect and reinforce conflicting perceptions of women and their place in society. This book accompanies an exhibition of the same title, held in the British Museum from 17 May to 18 September 1994 to mark the 300th anniversary of the foundation of the Bank of England.