50s nodules with a lot of security

Photos: SNB

The Swiss National Bank (SNB) will start issuing the first of the six new banknotes - the 50-franc note - on April 12, 2016. The current banknotes will retain their status as legal tender until further notice.

High counterfeit protection

More than 20 years have passed since the last issue - during which time a technological quantum leap has taken place. New notes are therefore needed to maintain the high security standard of the banknotes. The new banknotes are printed by Orell Füssli Security Printing Ltd on a new type of three-layer banknote substrate (the old bills are only single-layer). They feature an innovative combination of complex Security features and sophisticated design, thus ensuring a high level of protection against counterfeiting, as the SNB emphasizes. With the new series, Switzerland will receive banknotes that are even more secure.

Versatile Switzerland

The theme of the new banknote series is "Versatile Switzerland". Each note presents a side typical of Switzerland, each illustrated by different graphic elements. For example, the 50-franc note shows the eventful side of Switzerland. The main element is the wind. The embossing motifs of the new banknotes are the hand and the globe, which will be found on every note. The note denominations of the new series are the same as those of the current series, and their color scheme is also unchanged. The format will change, however, and the new banknotes will be smaller and therefore easier to handle; however, ATMs will have to be retooled accordingly.

Issue completed in 2019

The 50 note will be followed by the 20 note in the spring of 2017. According to the SNB, the other notes will subsequently be issued at six-month or annual intervals. However, the issue of the new series is scheduled to be completed in 2019.

More information about the safety features on Youtube.