Sixth banknote series (1976)

At the end of the 1960s, the Swiss National Bank completely reassessed its policy regarding the design and production of notes. For the first time, the SNB took over sole leadership of planning, organisation and implementation in cooperation with graphic artists, printers, as well as producers of paper, printing inks and equipment. The basic creative idea upon which the banknote series was based, i.e. the selection of topics and the graphic design, was changed as well. Six banknotes were thus created whose front is dominated by the portrait of a historical personality. The topic on the back of each note is always closely related to the personality depicted on the front. (Recommended reading: The Swiss banknote 1907-1997, Michel de Rivaz, Collection La Mémoire de l'oeil, ISBN 2-88100-080-0)

These banknotes were recalled on 1 May 2000 and are no longer legal tender. They can be exchanged for an unlimited period of time at the Swiss National Bank at full nominal value.

  • Sixth banknote series, 1976, 1000 franc note, front
    Sixth banknote series, 1976, 1000 franc note, back

    Portrait front: Auguste Forel (1848-1931); Psychiatrist, neurologist, entomologist
    Motif back:
    Three ants, cross-section of an anthill
    Main
    colour: Purple
    Design:
    Ernst and Ursula Hiestand
    Dimensions:
    86 x 192 mm
    Date of issue:
    4 April 1978
    Date of recall:
    1 May 2000
    Printing:
    Orell Füssli, Zurich

  • Sixth banknote series, 1976, 500 franc note, front
    Sixth banknote series, 1976, 500 franc note, back

    Portrait front: Albrecht von Haller (1708-1777); Physician, naturalist and poet
    Motif back:
    Human musculature, the respiratory and circulatory systems, purple orchid
    Main
    colour: Brown
    Design:
    Ernst and Ursula Hiestand
    Dimensions:
    82 x 181 mm
    Date of issue:
    4 April 1977
    Date of recall:
    1 May 2000
    Printing:
    Orell Füssli, Zurich

  • Sixth banknote series, 1976, 100 franc note, front
    Sixth banknote series, 1976, 100 franc note, back

    Portrait front: Francesco Borromini (1599-1667); Architect
    Motif back:
    Lantern and cupola of Sant'Ivo church, with floor plan
    Main
    colour: Dark blue
    Design:
    Ernst and Ursula Hiestand
    Dimensions:
    78 x 170 mm
    Date of issue:
    4 October 1976
    Date of recall:
    1 May 2000
    Printing:
    Orell Füssli, Zurich

  • Sixth banknote series, 1976, 50 franc note, front
    Sixth banknote series, 1976, 50 franc note, back

    Portrait front: Konrad Gessner (1516-1565); Universal scholar
    Motif back: Eagle owl, primula, stars
    Main colour: Green
    Design: Ernst and Ursula Hiestand
    Dimensions: 74 x 159 mm
    Date of issue: 4 October 1978
    Date of recall: 1 May 2000
    Printing: Orell Füssli, Zurich

  • Sixth banknote series, 1976, 20 franc note, front
    Sixth banknote series, 1976, 20 franc note, back

    Portrait front: Horace-Bénédict de Saussure (1740-1799); Geologist
    Motif back:
    Mountain range, group of alpinists, ammonite
    Main
    colour: Light blue
    Design:
    Ernst and Ursula Hiestand
    Dimensions:
    70 x 148 mm
    Date of issue:
    4 April 1979
    Date of recall:
    1 May 2000
    Printing:
    Orell Füssli, Zurich

  • Sixth banknote series, 1976, 10 franc note, front
    Sixth banknote series, 1976, 10 franc note, back

    Portrait front: Leonhard Euler (1707-1783); Mathematician
    Motif back:
    Water turbine, the solar system, light rays passing through lenses
    Main
    colour: Reddish brown
    Design:
    Ernst and Ursula Hiestand
    Dimensions:
    66 x 137 mm
    Date of issue:
    5 November 1979
    Date of recall:
    1 May 2000
    Printing: Orell Füssli, Zurich

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