1.000 Franken / Francs / Franchi

The ninth series of Swiss National Bank notes broke sharply from convention when introduced — where previous series leaned on portraits of historical figures, Manuela Pfrunder's designs organized each denomination around an abstract theme rather than a face. The 1,000-franc note is built around the theme of communication, an unusual conceptual anchor for what is, in purchasing power terms, one of the highest-denomination notes in regular circulation anywhere in the world.

Switzerland has never demonetized its previous banknote series without a 20-year grace period, meaning multiple generations of 1,000-franc notes circulate legally in parallel — a deliberate SNB policy that distinguishes it from most central banks.