The design of the new banknotes at a glance
In the ninth banknote series the Swiss National Bank is breaking new ground on the design front – it is moving away from the depiction of well-known personalities altogether. Each note in the new series depicts a typically Swiss characteristic, which is then illustrated graphically using a key motif. Each characteristic is communicated via an action, a Swiss location and various graphic elements. The inspiration behind the new banknote series is ‘The many facets of Switzerland’.
Click on the banknotes in the overview for information on the corresponding theme and key motif. Click on the 20 or 50-franc note for detailed information on the relevant note and its design elements.
50-franc note
| Main colour: | Green |
| Dimensions: | 70 x 137 mm |
| Date of issue: | 12 April 2016 |
Hand
The wind carries forth the seed of the dandelion, which is held playfully in the hand.
Globe
The arrows on the globe show the direction of the winds that connect Switzerland with other regions and continents.
Wind arrows
The arrows feature in the background on the front of the note.
Security strip
Mountains evoke Switzerland’s varied landscapes. The security strip shows the Alps and lists the names of the main four-thousand-metre peaks in the Swiss Alps, from A for Aletschhorn to Z for Zumsteinspitze.
Mountains
The mountain panorama highlights the wealth of experiences Switzerland has to offer.
Paraglider
The wind, the note’s key motif, holds the paraglider aloft in the mountains.
Contour lines
The contour lines evoke Switzerland’s varied landscapes.
Film: The new banknotes – design and security features
There are many other design elements on the note, all of which illustrate its theme of experiences and its key motif, the wind. The following film introduces you to the 50-franc note’s various design elements.
'Swiss Banknotes' app
Discover the new note with the SNB's ‘Swiss Banknotes’ app.
