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.
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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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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
