The E-Sylum:  Volume 10, Number 23, June 10, 2007, Article 26

BANK OF ENGLAND CHOICE OF ADAM SMITH PORTRAIT REMAINS CONTROVERSIAL

On 6 June The Guardian published an article noting that the choice 
of Adam Smith for the Bank of England's new £20 note is still 
drawing comment:

"At a time when the public has been less than impressed by the 
governor's choice of Adam Smith to adorn the, the "Becks for 
banknotes" campaign will get a boost should the recalled winger 
help his country to a victory.

"[Soccer star David] Beckham is one of a list of modern sportsmen, 
musicians and actors put forward by the public as alternatives to 
the choices made by Threadneedle Street, which have been sometimes 
criticised for relying too heavily on dead, white males. Robbie 
Williams, The Beatles, Mick Jagger, Richard Branson, England's 
cricket captain, Michael Vaughan, and the rugby player Jonny 
Wilkinson all feature on the list with figures from history such 
as Francis Drake and Winston Churchill.

"Smith, one of three economists on the list, replaced Sir Edward 
Elgar on the £20 note in March, but the Bank said the switch had 
proved controversial.

"A spokesman said complaints about Smith had focused on his 
Scottish origins. Scotland has its own banknotes, and some people 
in England have objected to the author of the Wealth of Nations 
having pride of place on notes issued south of the border.

"The spokesman made it clear that the Bank stuck by its decision. 
"We are the central bank for the UK. We don't see why nationality 
within the UK should be an issue for us." There had also been 
complaints about Elgar being dropped in the year that marks the 
150th anniversary of his birth."

To read the complete article, see: Full Story

  Wayne Homren, Editor

	coinbooks.org Web

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