Catalog
10 Francs - Federal Treasury German text
| Issuer | Swiss Federal Treasury (Eidgenössische Staatskasse) |
|---|---|
| Year | 1914 |
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| Currency | Franc (1850-date) |
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| Obverse lettering | 10 10 DIE EIDGENÖSSISCHE STAATSKASSE zahlt dem Ueberbringer ZEHN FRANKEN in gesetzlicher baarschaft. Bern, den 10. Aug. 1914. FINANZ DEPARTEMENT EIDG STAATSKASSE 10 10 LIBERTAS |
| Reverse description | Blue on tan underprint. The entire reverse is occupied by an intricate engine-turned guilloche design composed of concentric rosettes and interlocking geometric lathe-work patterns, with the denomination rendered in all three Swiss national languages: DIX FRANCS in French at top, ZEHN FRANKEN in German across the central band, and DIECI FRANCHI in Italian at bottom. Large numeral 10 counters appear at left and right within ornate cartouches, and a repeating micro-text border inscribes the denomination in all three languages around the entire perimeter. |
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| Comments |
Switzerland's Federal Treasury issued this note in August 1914 as an emergency measure — the mobilization of European armies had caused an immediate flight from gold, and the Confederation needed small-denomination paper in circulation within days. The Eidgenössische Staatskasse had no permanent note-issuing infrastructure, making the 1914 series a genuine improvisation under pressure.
Ernst Stückelberg was a Basel painter of considerable reputation, which is unusual for a note designer of this period — fine artists were rarely commissioned for emergency currency. The German-text version served the Deutschschweiz, with parallel French and Italian editions issued simultaneously for other linguistic regions.
The series was retired quickly once the Swiss National Bank stabilized supply, leaving circulated survivors scarce.