why do five pound notes always look more worn than ten's or twenty's?

Answer 1

Because people use them more. The lower the denomination of a note, the more likely it is to be used by a greater number of people.

To take an extreme example, everyone has a one-pound note but few have a 1,000-pound note. The one-pound note would therefore get used way more than the 1,000-pound note.

Same principle (though less extreme) for the 5-pound note versus the 10- and 20-pound notes.

Answer 2

Because cash machines only give out £10 and £20 notes, people only usually go to the cash point when they're out of cash, therefore they will use a £20 note to purchase anything from the value of £1 to £20 in order to get change, usually which will consist of a fiver or two, resulting in tattier £5 notes because they are used more often once change is obtained.

Answer 3

They look that bad because there is according to my bank a shortage of fivers in circulation so the ones that are about are used a lot more.

Answer 4

Being smaller and more likely to be received in change when you buy something they get passed around more quickly.

Answer 5

...the same reason why £1 notes are being or have been phased out - they get used so often that they get scruffy.

Answer 6

if they get dropped on the ground, the 20s get picked up quicker ... LOL

Answer 7

Because they are spent/used more often and therefore circulated more often lol.

Answer 8

They are more commonly used, i.e. they change hands most often.

Answer 9

probably cuz theyre used more