A Bank of Scotland five pound note designed by a Dundee schoolgirl and featuring a picture of charity mascot Pudsey Bear holding a saltire flag has fetched £18,600 at auction — 3720 times what the currency is actually worth in the shops.
The rare fiver was the highlight of Spink’s World Banknotes auction, which included a large collection of Scottish notes.
The limited edition currency was one of the first polymer notes issued in July 2015, but was not circulated.
The Pudsey design was created by 12-year-old Dundonian Kayla Robson, who won a Bank of Scotland competition in partnership with BBC Children in Need.
Titled “Pudsey Bear”, the cuddly mascot with the trademark eyepatch is depicted wearing tartan trousers and holding a saltire flag.
The “hotly contested” note was estimated to make just £1000-1200, but its price soared after a bidding war.
It was finally bought by an anonymous collector.
On the reverse is a portrait of Sir Walter Scott and the bank’s head office on the Mound, in Edinburgh.
Proceeds will go to the Children in Need appeal.
Kayla was previously invited to watch as the note was printed off and said it had been fantastic to see her design brought to life.
The note was particularly rare as it represented the first UK bank note to have been designed by a child.
Monica Kruber, a specialist in Spink’s banknote department, said: “We knew it was going to be good but it made a fabulous price.
“We are delighted, especially as it is for BBC Children in Need.
“It is an extraordinary note, and an extraordinary issue — the first polymer from the Bank of Scotland.
“It has amazing security features. The note itself is very attractive and the colours are amazing. They are also largely invincible.”
Bank of Scotland managing director Annette Barnes, added: “Kayla did a fantastic job with her design and I was delighted to see how we were able to incorporate it into our first polymer banknote.”