Originally Posted by
stut
Actually, I remember that from Russia, when I visited ages ago - but the machines then had a ridiculous variety of notes, right through from the most valuable to the least. So we ended up devising obscure sums that would get us just the right mix of banknotes to get by for the day (or at least not have the zhetony woman on the metro shout at us...)
It's pretty much default action when I arrive at an airport ATM to request an odd amount to ensure I don't get caught out like that. €190 or something like that.
I then jealously guard small notes and change as if my life depended on it - it always takes a couple of weeks after I get home to stop hoarding!
As for £50 notes. I honestly can't remember last time I saw one. I bought a car for cash earlier this year and tried to get Barclays to give me the amount in £50s (over the counter) but they didn't have any in stock
I'm sure they will eventually become commonplace, but I suspect it will take a bit of a drive to get them in circulation. People still think of them as exotic and difficult to get rid of (which they are). Bizzare, when the Eurozone has notes worth nearly ten times as much (albeit not in wide circulation).