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500 Franken 1971, Switzerland

in Krause book Number: 50
Years of issue: 10.02.1971
Edition: Serie: 6W-7Q 2000000
Signatures: Der Präsident des Bankrates: Dr. Brenno Galli (21.3.1959 – 20.8.1978), Der Hauptkassier: Herr Rudolf Aebersold (1966 - 1981), Ein Mitglied des Direktoriums: Herr Fritz Leutwiler (1968-1984)
Serie: Fifth Series
Specimen of: 21.12.1961
Material: Cotton fiber
Size (mm): 210 х 115
Printer: TDLR (Thomas de la Rue & Company), London

* All pictures marked magnify are increased partially by magnifying glass, the remaining open in full size by clicking on the image.

** The word "Specimen" is present only on some of electronic pictures, in accordance with banknote images publication rules of appropriate banks.

500 Franken 1971

Description

Watermark:

Avers:

500 Franken 1971

A woman, in a white shawl, looks in the mirror.

The picture prepared by artist Pierre Gauchat especially for banknote 500 Franken.

On the right side, above the denomination, is short silver cross as Swiss emblem. The cross reminds us that Switzerland's sovereignty is inviolable. For many centuries, the logo has remained virtually unchanged.

Denominations in numerals are across all field of banknote.

Revers:

500 Franken 1971

This banknote by Pierre Gauchat shows the fountain of youth. It symbolizes the remarkable ability of people to regain hope, even after the greatest catastrophes. The banknotes of the fifth series came into circulation a few years after the end of the Second World War.

The picture prepared by artist Pierre Gauchat especially for banknote 500 Franken.

Denominations in numerals are in left part of banknote.

Comments:

Graphic artist: Pierre Gauchat.

Security strip.

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 ten-franc note was not only designed and printed but also issued.

The Swiss National Bank showed great courage for innovation when it chose utterly novel motifs for the fifth banknote series after World War II. The series was designed by the graphic artist Pierre Gauchat, who chose neither heroes nor farmers and landscapes for his notes. Rather, his allegories illustrated universal human values like fertility, compassion, and even death. A special characteristic of these bold, unique banknotes was their enormous sizes; they were "big as sheets", as people said.