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20 Francs, Swiss National Bank, Switzerland, 1978–1992 (Pick 54)

DocumentedSupported by at least one credible specialist source.

Record status

Individual type · partial

Period

1978-1992

Issuing entity

Switzerland

This 20 Francs note was issued in Switzerland by the Swiss National Bank, with dates recorded from 1978–1992. It belongs to the Franc (1850-date) currency system. Issuing authority and period recorded in the catalogue: Federal State (1848-date). It measures 148 × 70 mm and is printed on paper. The Standard Catalog of World Paper Money lists the type as Pick 54.

Obverse: Blue and multicolor. Horace-Bénédict de Saussure at right, hygrometer at left. Its lettering reads “BANQUE NATIONALE SUISSE / BANCA NAZIONALE SVIZZERA / 20 / Horace-Bénédict de Saussure / 1740-1799 / Vingt Francs / Venti Franchi / 20”. Reverse: Fossel and early mountain expedition team hiking in the Alps on vertical format. Its lettering reads “SCHWEIZERISCHE NATIONALBANK / BANCA NAZIUNALA SVIZRA / Der Präsident / des Bankrates / Ein Mitglied / des Direktoriums / 20 / Zwanzig Franken / Vantg Francs / E+U Hiestand”.

The note was printed by Orell Füssli, Zürich, Switzerland (1519-date). Design is credited to Ernst Hiestand and Ursula Hiestand. Watermark: Portrait of Horace-Bénédict de Saussure. Signatures recorded for the type: Edmund Wyss (EW) (President of the Bank Council); Leo Schürmann (LS) (Vice Chairman of the Governing Board, Department II, Bern); Pierre Languetin (PL₁) (Member of the Governing Board, Department III, Zürich); Fritz Leutwiler (FL) (Chairman of the Governing Board, Department I, Zürich); Pierre Languetin (PL₂) (Vice Chairman of the Governing Board, Department II, Bern); Markus Lusser (ML₁) (Member of the Governing Board, Department III, Zürich); François Schaller (FS) (President of the Bank Council); Markus Lusser (ML₂) (Vice Chairman of the Governing Board, Department II, Bern) and further combinations.

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.

Historical context

The first two numbers to the left of the serial number indicate the year of printing. P#55 Snowflake underprint on front extends close to left margin. Color : blue. P#54 Snowflake underprint not extending toward left margin. Color : light blue.

Physical characteristics

Size
148 × 70 mm
Shape
Rectangular
Material
Paper
Watermark
Portrait of Horace-Bénédict de Saussure.

Technical characteristics

Printer
Orell Füssli, Zürich, Switzerland (1519-date)
Currency
Franc (1850-date)
Designer
Ernst Hiestand and Ursula Hiestand
Signatures
Edmund Wyss (EW) (President of the Bank Council) Leo Schürmann (LS) (Vice Chairman of the Governing Board, Department II, Bern) Pierre Languetin (PL₁) (Member of the Governing Board, Department III, Zürich) Fritz Leutwiler (FL) (Chairman of the Governing Board, Department I, Zürich) Pierre Languetin (PL₂) (Vice Chairman of the Governing Board, Department II, Bern) Markus Lusser (ML₁) (Member of the Governing Board, Department III, Zürich) François Schaller (FS) (President of the Bank Council) Markus Lusser (ML₂) (Vice Chairman of the Governing Board, Department II, Bern) Pierre Languetin (PL₃) (Chairman of the Governing Board, Department I, Zürich) Hans Meyer (HM₁) (Member of the Governing Board, Department III, Zürich) Hans Meyer (HM₂) (Vice Chairman of the Governing Board, Department II, Bern) Peter Gerber (PG) (President of the Bank Council)
Issuing bank
Swiss National Bank

Design

Obverse
Blue and multicolor. Horace-Bénédict de Saussure at right, hygrometer at left.
Reverse
Fossel and early mountain expedition team hiking in the Alps on vertical format.
Obverse lettering
BANQUE NATIONALE SUISSE / BANCA NAZIONALE SVIZZERA / 20 / Horace-Bénédict de Saussure / 1740-1799 / Vingt Francs / Venti Franchi / 20
Reverse lettering
SCHWEIZERISCHE NATIONALBANK / BANCA NAZIUNALA SVIZRA / Der Präsident / des Bankrates / Ein Mitglied / des Direktoriums / 20 / Zwanzig Franken / Vantg Francs / E+U Hiestand

Identification

Value
20 Francs
Dates recorded
1978-1992
Distinguishing features
Printed date and signature combination separate sub-varieties
Catalogue number to match
Pick 54

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)P54
  • NumistaN# 203371

Research required

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