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20 Francs, Swiss National Bank, Switzerland, 1954–1976 (Pick 46)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · partial

Period

1954-1976

Issuing entity

Switzerland

This 20 Francs note was issued in Switzerland by the Swiss National Bank, with dates recorded from 1954–1976. It belongs to the Franc (1850-date) currency system. Issuing authority and period recorded in the catalogue: Federal State (1848-date). It measures 155 × 85 mm and is printed on paper. The Standard Catalog of World Paper Money lists the type as Pick 46.

Obverse: Portrait of General Guillaume Henri-Dufour. Its lettering reads “20 20 / BANQUE NATIONALE SUISSE / SCHWEIZERISCHE NATIONALBANK / BANCA NAZIONALE SVIZZERA / 20 / Vingt Francs. Venti Franchi / Zwanzig Franken / BERN UND ZÜRICH, 9. APRIL 1963 / Der Präsident des Bankrates / Der Hauptkassier / Ein Mitgleid des Direktoriums / 20 20 / ART. INSTITUT ORELL FÜSSLI AG ZÜRICH”. Reverse: Silver thistle (carlina acaulis). Its lettering reads “BANCA NAZIONALE SVIZZERA / SCHWEIZERISCHE NATIONALBANK / BANQUE NATIONALE SUISSE / 20 / BANCA NAZIONALE SVIZZERA / ORELL FÜSSLI ARTS GRAPHIQUES S.A. ZÜRICH”.

The note was printed by Orell Füssli, Zürich, Switzerland (1519-date). Design is credited to Hermann Eidenbenz. Engraving is credited to Hohmann, Hohmann and Franke Rupert. Signatures recorded for the type: Alfred Müller (AM) (President of the Bank Council); Walter Schweigler (WS) (Chairman of the Governing Board, Department I, Zürich); Otto Kunz (OK) (Chief cashier); Paul Rossy (PR) (Chairman of the Governing Board, Department I, Zürich); Paul Keller (PK) (Chairman of the Governing Board, Department I, Zürich); Riccardo Motta (RM) (Vice Chairman of the Governing Board, Department II, Bern); Max Iklé (MI) (Member of the Governing Board, Department III, Zürich); Brenno Galli (BG) (President of the Bank Council) and further combinations. Demonetized: 1 May 2000.

Identification note: match the value, issuing bank, printed date and Pick number together; dates and signature combinations distinguish sub-varieties, which are not separated in this entry. Details follow the Numista catalogue entry and the Standard Catalog reference it cites; they have not been checked against a central-bank archive.

Evidence at a glance

Linked sources
2
Photograph views
2
Catalogue references
2

Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.

Physical characteristics

Size
155 × 85 mm
Shape
Rectangular
Material
Paper

Technical characteristics

Printer
Orell Füssli, Zürich, Switzerland (1519-date)
Currency
Franc (1850-date)
Designer
Hermann Eidenbenz
Engraver
Hohmann, Hohmann and Franke Rupert
Signatures
Alfred Müller (AM) (President of the Bank Council) Walter Schweigler (WS) (Chairman of the Governing Board, Department I, Zürich) Otto Kunz (OK) (Chief cashier) Paul Rossy (PR) (Chairman of the Governing Board, Department I, Zürich) Paul Keller (PK) (Chairman of the Governing Board, Department I, Zürich) Riccardo Motta (RM) (Vice Chairman of the Governing Board, Department II, Bern) Max Iklé (MI) (Member of the Governing Board, Department III, Zürich) Brenno Galli (BG) (President of the Bank Council) Edwin Stopper (ES) (Chairman of the Governing Board, Department I, Zürich) Rudolf Aebersold (RA) (Chief cashier) Alexandre Hay (AH) (Vice Chairman of the Governing Board, Department II, Bern) Fritz Leutwiler (FL) (Chairman of the Governing Board, Department I, Zürich)
Demonetized
1 May 2000
Issuing bank
Swiss National Bank

Design

Obverse
Portrait of General Guillaume Henri-Dufour.
Reverse
Silver thistle (carlina acaulis).
Obverse lettering
20 20 / BANQUE NATIONALE SUISSE / SCHWEIZERISCHE NATIONALBANK / BANCA NAZIONALE SVIZZERA / 20 / Vingt Francs. Venti Franchi / Zwanzig Franken / BERN UND ZÜRICH, 9. APRIL 1963 / Der Präsident des Bankrates / Der Hauptkassier / Ein Mitgleid des Direktoriums / 20 20 / ART. INSTITUT ORELL FÜSSLI AG ZÜRICH
Reverse lettering
BANCA NAZIONALE SVIZZERA / SCHWEIZERISCHE NATIONALBANK / BANQUE NATIONALE SUISSE / 20 / BANCA NAZIONALE SVIZZERA / ORELL FÜSSLI ARTS GRAPHIQUES S.A. ZÜRICH

Identification

Value
20 Francs
Dates recorded
1954-1976
Distinguishing features
Printed date and signature combination separate sub-varieties
Catalogue number to match
Pick 46

Documentation checklist

Denomination
Research required
Issue or mint date
Recorded
Material
Recorded
Weight
Research required
Mint or printer
Recorded
Mint or printer mark
Research required
Catalogue reference
Recorded
Attached photograph (check rights)
Recorded

Recorded means a field is present, not independently verified. Read its wording, supporting source and the entry’s confidence level.

Catalogue references

  • Standard Catalog of World Paper Money (Pick)P46
  • NumistaN# 201661

Research required

  • Confirm date and signature varieties against the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money.
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