Fifth banknote series (1956)

The four higher-denomination notes, which were issued from 1957, formed a thematic and formal unity for the first time in the history of Swiss banknotes, in that the portrait on the front is connected with the motif on the back of the note. It was the first time that a 10-franc note was not only designed and printed but also issued. (Recommended reading: The Swiss banknote 1907-1997, Michel de Rivaz, Collection La Mémoire de l'oeil, ISBN 2-88100-080-0)

  • Fifth banknote series, 1956, 1000 franc note, front
    Fifth banknote series, 1956, 1000 franc note, back

    Portrait front: Woman's head on the right
    Motif back:
    Danse macabre
    Main colour:
    Purple
    Design:
    Pierre Gauchat
    Dimensions:
    125 x 228 mm
    Date of issue:
    14 June 1957
    Date of recall:
    1 May 1980
    Worthless from:
    1 May 2000
    Printing:
    De La Rue, London

  • Fifth banknote series, 1956, 500 franc note, front
    Fifth banknote series, 1956, 500 franc note, back

    Portrait front: Woman's head on the right
    Motif back:
    Fountain of youth
    Main colour:
    Reddish brown
    Design:
    Pierre Gauchat
    Dimensions:
    115 x 210 mm
    Date of issue:
    14 June 1957
    Date of recall:
    1 May 1980
    Worthless from:
    1 May 2000
    Printing:
    Waterlow/De La Rue, London

  • Fifth banknote series, 1956, 100 franc note, front
    Fifth banknote series, 1956, 100 franc note, back

    Portrait front: Boy's head on the right
    Motif back:
    St. Martin
    Main colour:
    Dark blue
    Design:
    Pierre Gauchat
    Dimensions:
    105 x 191 mm
    Date of issue:
    14 June 1957
    Date of recall:
    1 May 1980
    Worthless from:
    1 May 2000
    Printing:
    De La Rue, London

  • Fifth banknote series, 1956, 50 franc note, front
    Fifth banknote series, 1956, 50 franc note, back

    Portrait front: Girl's head on the right
    Motif back:
    Apple harvest
    Main colour:
    Green
    Design:
    Pierre Gauchat
    Dimensions: 95 x 173 mm
    Date of issue:
    14 June 1957
    Date of recall:
    1 May 1980
    Worthless from:
    1 May 2000
    Printing:
    Waterlow/De La Rue, London

  • Fifth banknote series, 1956, 20 franc note, front
    Fifth banknote series, 1956, 20 franc note, back

    Portrait front: General Dufour on the right
    Motif back:
    Thistle
    Main colour:
    Light blue
    Design:
    Hermann Eidenbenz
    Dimensions:
    85 x 155 mm
    Date of issue:
    29 March 1956
    Date of recall:
    1 May 1980
    Worthless from:
    1 May 2000
    Printing:
    Orell Füssli, Zurich

  • Fifth banknote series, 1956, 10 franc note, front
    Fifth banknote series, 1956, 10 franc note, back

    Portrait front: Gottfried Keller (Swiss poet) on the right
    Motif back:
    Geum flowers
    Main colour:
    Brownish red
    Design:
    Hermann Eidenbenz
    Dimensions:
    75 x 137 mm
    Date of issue:
    1 Octobre 1956
    Date of recall:
    1 May 1980
    Worthless from:
    1 May 2000
    Printing:
    Orell Füssli, Zurich

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