On snow crystals and a world record: 7 interesting facts about Swiss banknotes
Newsflash: Humanity will be abandoned completely by 2019! In its place, expect butterflies and snow crystals — at least when it comes to Swiss banknotes.
After a very un-Swiss delay of six years, the Swiss National Bank went on to release the ninth series of Swissies: In April 2016, the new 50 franc bills were released, followed by the 20 and 10 franc bills. The hundreds are slated for 2018, while the 200- and 1000-franc bills will follow in 2019.
So by the end of 2019, the entire current series of Swiss banknotes will have been face lifted.
I find it interesting that in the United States, there was considerable debate about placing a woman on the new 10-dollar bill. Meanwhile, Switzerland is abandoning mug shots and people pictures altogether — in favor of Mother Nature.
For instance, the new 50-franc bill features a mountain landscape with climbers, and the 10-franc bill shows a bunch of skiers curving through a race course.
Have I mentioned butterflies and snow crystals on the higher denominations?
Here are seven interesting facts you need to know about Swiss banknotes:
1. The Swiss National Bank launched a competition for the new design in 2005. The winning designs from Manuel Krebs featured cells and embryos. After loud opposition of the public, the SNB revised their decision and went for the second place winner, Zürich graphic artist Manuela Pfrunder.
2. The color scheme will remain identical to the current series, which will help with identifying the denomination of a bill. The new bills are actually slightly smaller than the current ones, and the final design differs from the presentation.
3. This is the ninth generation of banknotes in Swiss history. And it is supposed to last for 15 years. The first series was released back in 1907.
4. Swiss banknotes are less likely to be counterfeited than euros, US dollars or the British pound. Only 1 in 100’000 Swiss bills is counterfeit, whereas the ratio increases to 1 in 20’000 for euros, 1 in 10’000 for US dollars and 1 in 3333 for the British pound. The University of Lausanne based their 2011 report on information from central banks.
5. The 1000-franc bill is the denomination with the highest circulation, at 61.1%. At the current exchange rate, it is the second most valuable banknote in the world still being printed. Although there are USD 10'000 bills in circulation, they are no longer being printed. Singapore has a bill worth about 7500 francs, though.
6. The weight of 1m francs (as in one million francs) is only 1.14 kg. Thus, Swiss francs is the most efficient currency when it comes to transporting cash.
7. And last but not least, once you see the face on the new 50-franc bill, you simply cannot un-see it!
