Second banknote series (1911)
These notes, which were first issued between 1911 and 1914, were replaced in 1956–57. This represents an exceptionally long life span. The 5-franc note was intended to replace the silver 5-franc coin, which was stockpiled during times of war or serious crisis and thus effectively removed from payment transactions. Of all the SNB's denominations, this note was in circulation for the longest period of time and was only recalled in 1980.
(Recommended reading: The Swiss banknote 1907-1997, Michel de Rivaz, Collection La Mémoire de l'oeil, ISBN 2-88100-080-0)
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Portrait front: Woman's head in left-hand medallion
Motif back: Foundry
Main colour: Purple and orange
Design: Eugène Burnand
Dimensions: 131 x 216 mm
Date of issue: 16 September 1911
Date of recall: 1 October 1958
Worthless from: 1 October 1978
Printing: Waterlow, London -
Portrait front: Woman's head in left-hand medallion
Motif back: Embroiderers
Main colour: Red and brown
Design: Eugène Burnand
Dimensions: 125 x 200 mm
Date of issue: 24 December 1912
Date of recall: 1 October 1958
Worthless from: 1 October 1978
Printing: Waterlow, London -
Portrait front: Woman's head in left-hand medallion
Motif back: Mower (reaper)
Main colour: Dark blue
Design: Ferdinand Hodler
Dimensions: 115 x 181 mm
Date of issue: 16 September 1911
Date of recall: 1 October 1958
Worthless from: 1 October 1978
Printing: Waterlow, London -
Portrait front: Woman's head in left-hand medallion
Motif back: Woodcutter
Main colour: Green
Design: Ferdinand Hodler
Dimensions: 106 x 165 mm
Date of issue: 22 December 1911
Date of recall: 1 October 1958
Worthless from: 1 October 1978
Printing: Waterlow, London -
Portrait front: 'Winkelried' (Swiss warrior) in left-hand medallion
Motif back: Ornaments, rosette, value numeral
Main colour: Purplish brown
Design: Balzer (Orell Füssli employee)
Dimensions: 82 x 144 mm
Date of issue: Reserve note
Printing: Orell Füssli, Zurich -
Portrait front: 'Vreneli' (woman's head) in left-hand medallion
Motif back: Ornaments, rosette, value numeral
Main colour: Light blue and purple
Design: Balzer (Orell Füssli employee)
Dimensions: 95 x 163 mm
Date of issue: 31 July 1914
Date of recall: 31 December 1935
Worthless from: 1 January 1956
Printing: Orell Füssli, Zurich -
Portrait front: Woman from Neuchâtel in left-hand medallion
Motif back: Ornaments, rosette, value numeral
Main colour: Yellowish brown
Design: Gabriel Lory (fils) and Friedrich Moritz
Dimensions: 82 x 135 mm
Date of issue: Reserve note
Printing: Waterlow, London -
Portrait front: William Tell in left-hand medallion
Motif back: Ornaments, rosette, value numeral
Main colour: Greenish brown
Design: Balzer (Orell Füssli employee)
Dimensions: 70 x 125 mm
Date of issue: 31 July 1914
Date of recall: 1 May 1980
Worthless from: 1 May 2000
Printing: Orell Füssli, Zurich
