If you have doubts about the different types of Pounds and where to use
If you are going to travel to the United Kingdom, you will need to buy Pounds to make your payments in cash. But the subject of the Pounds can be a little confusing if you look for information in forums or web pages where you can read about different types of Pounds that are used in each region. Today we clarify the most common doubts on this subject.
How many types of Pounds are there?
When we speak of Pounds in general, we usually speak of Sterling Pounds, which are those that can be used in most of the British territory (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey and Man Islands and Gibraltar). There are 5 Sterling banknotes in circulation: 5 and 10 Pounds in polymer and 10, 20 and 50 Pounds in paper.
In addition to the Sterling Pounds, the Bank of England authorizes other entities to make their own Pounds. In this way, there are also the Scottish Pounds, Northern Ireland Pounds, Gibraltar Pounds, Jersey Pounds, Guernsey Pounds and Man Pounds.
On the other hand, there are more currencies that are called Pounds, such as Egyptian Pounds or Lebanese Pounds, but these have nothing to do with the Pounds that are used in the United Kingdom or the islands.
Where is each Pound used?
The Sterling Pound is the one that can be used everywhere: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey and Man Islands and Gibraltar.
The other Pounds belong to their own region and can be used together with the Sterling. That is, if you travel to Scotland and pay with a 20 Pound Sterling note, you can receive a 5 Pound Sterling note and a 10 Scottish Pound one; or even you can pay there with Sterling and Scots indiscriminately.
However, these Pounds have no official validity outside their territory: you can’t use Scottish Pounds in London, for example. The value is the same, and they are exchanged without any charge in the banks, but you have to take into account that you will not be able to use them outside the region.
If you are going to travel through several regions of the United Kingdom, keep in mind that the local pounds will not be valid outside of it. The most comfortable thing is to try to spend them before and not have to go changing later in the banks. If you are going to travel only to one area, there is no problem in carrying Sterling Pounds to use them there.
What happens if I have several spare Pounds on the way back?
On your return, keep in mind that not all places accept all Pounds and that the change applied may be different, being worse for non-Sterling Pounds.
In Eurochange we accept and we apply the same rate for all. Remember that we only work with notes, so we can’t change the coins either.
We hope we have solved some of your doubts, but if you still have any questions, contact us, we will be happy to help you.
