Currency of Switzerland
five francs
This specimen was lot 72748 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, September 2023), which sold for $660. The catalog description noted, "SWITZERLAND. Schweizerische Nationalbank. 5 Francs, 1913. P-11a. PMG Very Fine 25. Signature #1-3. Series 1C. A tougher note retaining all pertinent detail."
twenty francs
This specimen was lot 3382 in Sincona sale 94 (Zürich, October 2024), where it sold for 1,100 CHF (about US$1,525 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Banknoten, Schweizerische Nationalbank, 20 Franken 1922. 1. Juli, Gesetz vom 7. April 1921. Sign. Hirter/Bornhauser/Burckhardt. Richter/Kunzmann CH27c. Pick 27a (6). Selten in dieser Erhaltung. Erhaltung nach Restauration: -I. Kaum sichtbar gefaltet und minimal geglättet. (Switzerland, Swiss National Bank, twenty francs of July 1, 1922, signed by Hirter/Bornhauser/Burckhardt. Rare in this condition, Condition after restoration: About Uncirculated, Almost invisibly folded and minimally flattened.)"
This specimen was lot 3393 in Sincona sale 94 (Zürich, October 2024), where it sold for 350 CHF (about US$485 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Banknoten, Schweizerische Nationalbank, 20 Franken 1942, 4. Dezember, Sign. Bachmann/Blumer/Rossy. Richter/Kunzmann CH29ii. Pick 39l (28). I. (Switzerland, Swiss National Bank, twenty francs of December 4, 1942, signed by Bachmann/Blumer/Rossy. Uncirculated.)"
This specimen was lot 75559 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, June 2023), where it did not sell. The catalog description noted, "SWITZERLAND. Schweizerische Nationalbank. 20 Franken, 1974. P-46v. PMG Superb Gem Uncirculated 67 EPQ."
fifty francs
This specimen was lot 3372 in Sincona sale 94 (Zürich, October 2024), where it sold for 7,500 CHF (about US$10,395 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Banknoten, Schweizerische Nationalbank, 50 Franken 1907, 1. Februar, Interimsnote. Sign. Hirter/Chevallier/Kundert. Richter/Kunzmann IN4a. Pick 1 (1). Selten. Erhaltung nach Restauration: II. Randabschnitte repariert und leicht geglättet. (Switzerland, Swiss National Bank, fifty francs of February 1, 1907, interim issue, signed by Hirter/Chevallier/Kundert. Rare, Condition after restoration: Extremely Fine, Repaired margin sections and slightly flattened.)"
This specimen was lot 3376 in Sincona sale 94 (Zürich, October 2024), where it sold for 450 CHF (about US$624 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Banknoten, Schweizerische Nationalbank, 50 Franken 1917, 1. Januar, Gesetz vom 6. Okt. 1905. Sign. Hirter/Bornhauser/Jöhr. Richter/Kunzmann CH21g. Pick 5c (7). Selten. Erhaltung nach Restauration: II+. Minimal geglättet. (Switzerland, Swiss National Bank, fifty francs of January 1, 1917, signed by Hirter/Bornhauser/Jöhr. Rare, Condition after restoration: Better than Extremely Fine, Minimally flattened.)"
This specimen was lot 1244 in Sincona Auction 100 (Zürich, October 2025), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Banknoten, Reservebanknoten der Schweizerischen Nationalbank. 50 Franken 1945, 15. März, Entwurf von Hans Erni. Name der Emissionsbank und ausgeschriebene Wertangabe in den drei Amtssprachen auf guillochiertem Grund. Auf der rechten Seite in einem Medaillon der Kopf einer jungen Frau nach links. Darüber und darunter, sowie in der linken unteren Ecke die Wertzahl in einem guillochierten Rahmen. Rv. Ein von einem Bauern geführter Stier auf einem weitläufigen Feld. Rechts unten die Künstlersignatur. In einem guillochierten Rahmen der Name der Emissionsbank in den drei Amtssprachen. In den Ecken je eine Wertzahl. Druckerei Art. Institut Orell Füssli AG, Zürich. Mit den drei Signaturen von Bachmann, Blumer und Rossy. Serie 2N 050002. Richter/Kunzmann RS9b. Pick 42. Von grösster Seltenheit. Neuwertig. Minimaler Papierabrieb auf dem Avers oben links. (Switzerland, Banknotes, reserve banknotes of the Swiss National Bank. Fifty Francs of 15 March 1945, design by Hans Erni. Obverse: name of the issuing bank and the denomination written out in the three official languages on a guilloche background. On the right side, in a medallion, the head of a young woman facing left. Above and below, as well as in the lower left corner, the numeral value in a guilloche frame. Reverse: A bull led by a farmer in a vast field, The artist's signature in the lower right corner, in a guilloche frame, the name of the issuing bank in the three official languages, a numeral value in each corner. Printed by Art. Institute Orell Füssli AG, Zurich. With the three signatures of Bachmann, Blumer, and Rossy. Of the highest rarity, As new, Very minor paper abrasion on the top left corner of the obverse.) Zusammen mit der 1000 Franken-Reservebanknote und der 500 Franken Probe-Banknote eine der wohl schönsten Schweizer Banknoten. (Together with the 1000 francs reserve banknote and the 500 francs pattern banknote, one of Switzerland's most beautiful banknotes.)"
This specimen was lot 72750 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, September 2023), where it sold for $144. The catalog description noted, "SWITZERLAND. Schweizerische Nationalbank. 50 Franken, 1974. P-48n. PMG Gem Uncirculated 66 EPQ."
This specimen was lot 32881 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2023), where it sold for $456. The catalog description noted, "SWITZERLAND. Banque Nationale Suisse. 50 Franken, 1988. P-56h. PMG Superb Gem Uncirculated 68 EPQ."
one hundred francs
This specimen was lot 3371 in Sincona sale 94 (Zürich, October 2024), where it sold for 5,250 CHF (about US$7,277 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Banknoten, Schweizerische Nationalbank, 100 Franken 1907, 1. Februar, Interimsnote. Sign. Hirter/Chevallier/de Haller. Richter/Kunzmann IN3b. Pick 2 (2). Selten. Erhaltung nach Restauration: III+. Oberer Rand und senkrechter Falt repariert und leicht geglättet. (Switzerland, Swiss National Bank, one hundred francs of February 1, 1907, interim issue, signed by Hirter/Chevallier/de Haller. Rare, Condition after restoration: Better than very fine, Repaired upper margin and vertical fold and slightly flattened.)"
This specimen was lot 3377 in Sincona sale 94 (Zürich, October 2024), where it sold for 4,500 CHF (about US$6,237 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Banknoten, Schweizerische Nationalbank, 100 Franken 1918, 1. Januar, Gesetz vom 6. Oktober 1905. Sign. Hirter/Bornhauser/Jöhr. Richter/Kunzmann CH14a. Pick 9a (7). Sehr selten. Erhaltung nach Restauration: -II. Doppelt gefaltet. Faltenden und Faltbereiche repariert. Geglättet. (Switzerland, Swiss National Bank, one hundred francs of January 1, 1918, signed by Hirter/Bornhauser/Jöhr. Very rare, Condition after restoration: Nearly extremely fine, Double folded. Fold ends and fold areas repaired. Flattened.)"
This specimen was lot 75523 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2023), where it sold for $100. The catalog description noted, "SWITZERLAND. Schweizerische Nationalbank. 100 Francs, 1949. P-35v. Very Fine."
This specimen was part of lot 75560 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, June 2023), where it sold for $216. The catalog description noted, "SWITZERLAND. Lot of (6). Schweizerische Nationalbank. 100 Franken, 1963-70. P-49e, 49g, 49i, 49j, 49k, & 49l. PMG Very Fine 30 to Extremely Fine 40."
This specimen was lot 32882 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2023), where it sold for $432. The catalog description noted, "SWITZERLAND. Banque Nationale Suisse. 100 Franken, 1983. P-57f. PMG Superb Gem Uncirculated 67 EPQ."
five hundred francs
This specimen was lot 3396 in Sincona sale 94 (Zürich, October 2024), where it sold for 1,400 CHF (about US$1,941 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Banknoten, Schweizerische Nationalbank, 500 Franken 1946, 31. August, Gesetzgebung über die schweizerische Nationalbank. Sign. Bachmann/Blumer/Rossy. Richter/Kunzmann CH9n. Pick 36e (28). Erhaltung nach Restauration: II+. Leicht geglättet. (Switzerland, Swiss National Bank, 500 francs of August 31, 1946, signed by Bachmann/Blumer/Rossy. Condition after restoration: Better than Extremely Fine, Slightly flattened.)"
This specimen was lot 1245 in Sincona Auction 100 (Zürich, October 2025), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Banknoten, Reservebanknoten der Schweizerischen Nationalbank. 500 Franken 1949, 1. August, Entwurf von Hans Erni. Name der Emissionsbank und Wertangabe in den drei Amtssprachen in rechteckigem, guillochiertem Rahmen. Auf der rechten Seite in einem Medaillon der Kopf einer jungen Person nach links, darunter die ornamental verzierte Wertzahl. Rv. Darstellung eines Chemikers im Labor mit Reagenzien arbeitend, in guillochiertem, rechteckigem Rahmen. Auf diesem der Name der Emissionsbank in den drei Amtssprachen. Die Unterschrift des Künstler im rechten unteren Bildrand. In den Ecken je eine Wertzahl. Druckerei Art. Institut Orell Füssli AG, Zürich. Mit den drei Signaturen von Müller, Blumer und Rossy. Serie 4M 012352. Richter/Kunzmann PR2b. Pick -. Von grösster Seltenheit. Neuwertig. (Switzerland, Banknotes, reserve banknotes of the Swiss National Bank. Five hundered francs of August 1, 1949. Designed by Hans Erni. The name of the issuing bank and the denomination are shown in the three official languages within a rectangular, guilloche-patterned frame. On the right side, a young person's head is depicted facing left in a medallion, with the ornately decorated denomination below. The reverse shows a chemist working with reagents in a laboratory, within a guilloche-patterned, rectangular frame. The name of the issuing bank is also displayed on this side in the three official languages. The artist's signature is in the lower right corner. The denomination is repeated in each corner. Printed by Art. Institute Orell Füssli AG, Zurich. With the three signatures of Müller, Blumer, and Rossy. Of the highest rarity, As new.)
Zusammen mit der 1000 und 50 Franken-Reservebanknoten eine der wohl schönsten Schweizer Banknoten. Auf der Vorderseite am linken unteren Rand befindet sich eine Bleistift-Notiz "29.1.51 3.2.". Gemäss der Fachliteratur von Richter/Kunzmann "Die Banknoten der Schweiz" war nicht bekannt, dass diese Probe auch vollständig gedruckt wurde. Lediglich Andrucke (sog. Druckproben) waren bei der Drucklegung des Buches bekannt. (Together with the 1000 and 50 francs reserve banknotes one of Switzerland's most beautiful banknotes. On the obverse at the bottom left, there is a pencil note "29.1.51 3.2.". According to the reference book by Richter/Kunzmann “Die Banknoten der Schweiz” it was not known that this pattern was also completely printed; only proofs (so-called printing proofs) were known at the issue time of the book.)"
This specimen was part of lot 75523 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2023), which sold for $312. The catalog description noted, "SWITZERLAND. Lot of (2). Schweizerische Nationalbank. 500 & 1000 Franken, 1969 & 1971. P-51g & 52j. PMG Very Fine 25 & Very Fine 30. PMG Comments "Tear, Annotation" on 51g and "Tear" on P-52j."
one thousand francs
This specimen was lot 3388 in Sincona sale 94 (Zürich, October 2024), where it sold for 2,600 CHF (about US$3,604 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Banknoten, Schweizerische Nationalbank, 1000 Franken 1931, 16. Juni, Gesetzgebung über die schweizerische Nationalbank. Sign. Bachmann/Blumer/Rossy. Richter/Kunzmann CH3k. Pick 37c (16). Selten. Erhaltung nach Restauration: -I. Gestopfte Nadellöcher links. (Switzerland, Swiss National Bank, one thousand francs of June 16, 1931, signed by Bachmann/Blumer/Rossy. Rare, Condition after restoration: About uncirculated, Plugged pinholes on the left.)"
This specimen was lot 1246 in Sincona Auction 100 (Zürich, October 2025), where it sold for 17,000 CHF (about US$25,623 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Banknoten, Reservebanknoten der Schweizerischen Nationalbank. 1000 Franken 1950, 1. Januar, Entwurf von Hans Erni. Name der Emissionsbank und Wertangabe in den drei Amtssprachen in rechteckigem, guillochiertem Rahmen. Auf der rechten Seite in einem Medaillon der Kopf einer jungen Frau nach links, darunter die ornamental verzierte Wertzahl. Rv. Darstellung einer Turbine in guillochiertem, rechteckigem Rahmen. Auf diesem der Name der Emissionsbank in den drei Amtssprachen. Die Unterschrift des Künstler im rechten unteren Bildrand. In den Ecken je eine Wertzahl. Druckerei Art. Institut Orell Füssli AG, Zürich. Mit den drei Signaturen von Müller, Blumer und Rossy. Serie 1P 010004. Richter/Kunzmann RS7b. Pick 44. Von grösster Seltenheit. Neuwertig. (Switzerland, Banknotes, reserve banknotes of the Swiss National Bank. One thousand francs of January 1, 1950. Designed by Hans Erni. The name of the issuing bank and the denomination are shown in the three official languages within a rectangular, guilloche frame. On the right side, a young woman's head is depicted facing left in a medallion, with the ornately decorated denomination below. Reverse: A turbine is depicted within a guilloche, rectangular frame. The name of the issuing bank is also shown on this side in the three official languages. The artist's signature is in the lower right corner. The denomination is repeated in each corner. Printed by Art Institute Orell Füssli AG, Zurich. With the three signatures of Müller, Blumer, and Rossy. Of the highest rarity, As new.)
Zusammen mit der 50 Franken-Reservebanknote und der 500 Franken Probe-Banknote eine der wohl schönsten Schweizer Banknoten. (Together with the 50 francs reserve banknote and the 500 francs pattern banknote one of Switzerland's most beautiful banknotes.)"
This specimen was part of lot 75523 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2023), which sold for $312. The catalog description noted, "SWITZERLAND. Lot of (2). Schweizerische Nationalbank. 500 & 1000 Franken, 1969 & 1971. P-51g & 52j. PMG Very Fine 25 & Very Fine 30. PMG Comments "Tear, Annotation" on 51g and "Tear" on P-52j."
This specimen was lot 50462 in Stack's Bowers World Paper Money sale (Maastricht, Netherlands, September 2023), where it sold for $1,800. The catalog description noted, "SWITZERLAND. Schweizerische Nationalbank. 1000 Franken, 1999. P-74b. PMG Gem Uncirculated 65 EPQ. A colorful and very attractive note that employed cutting edge designs and security features at the time. Jacob Burckhardt, the historian who wrote The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy, is portrayed on this highest denomination. High grade examples such as this are proving quite elusive to locate."
Source:
- Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The January 2023 NYINC Auction: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, featuring the Taraszka Collection and the Mark and Dottie Salton Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
- Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, September 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction - Ancient & World Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
- Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, November 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction - Ancient & World Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
- Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 94: World and Swiss Coins and Medals, SINCONA Bullion Auction, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2024.
- [1]Richter, Jurg, SINCONA Auction 100: SINCONA Jubilee Auction, Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2025.
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