Catalog
20 Francs
| Issuer | Banque Cantonale Neuchâteloise |
|---|---|
| Year | 1872-1879 |
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| Currency | Franc (1855-1906) |
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| Obverse description | A large central oval guilloche frame carries the bank title "BANQUE CANTONALE NEUCHATELOISE" and the written denomination "vingt francs", with the payment promise "IL SERA PAYÉ EN ESPÈCES A VUE AU PORTEUR" arching above; the Neuchâtel cantonal coat of arms surmounted by a radiant Swiss cross forms the principal vignette at the apex of the oval border, flanked by foliate ornamental work. The numeral "20F." appears in the upper right corner, while an elaborate calligraphic scroll design occupies the left margin. At the foot of the note, an oval cartouche bears the emission date and place, with three manuscript signature lines for the Contrôleur, Caissier, and Directeur, and the engraver's imprint "A. BOVET A GENEVE" in the lower margin. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | 20 F. BANQUE CANTONALE NEUCHATELOISE. IL SERA PAYÉ EN ESPÈCES A VUE AU PORTEUR, vingt francs. 20 20 Le Contrôleur, Le Caissier, Le Directeur, ÉMISSION DU 1ER. AOÛT 1873 NEUCHÂTEL A. BOVET A GENEVE |
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| Comments |
The Banque Cantonale Neuchâteloise was one of several Swiss cantonal banks empowered to issue their own notes before federal consolidation under the Swiss National Bank in 1907. Auguste Bovet, a Geneva-based printer and engraver, handled both the design and production of this series — an unusual degree of vertical integration that kept the plate work and presswork under a single hand.
Neuchâtel's cantonal notes from this period are consistently underrepresented in major collections, partly because redemption rates were high once federal unification approached.