Catalog
20 Francs
| Issuer | Banque Cantonale Neuchâteloise |
|---|---|
| Year | 1873 |
| Type | Standard circulation banknote |
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| Obverse description | The face of the note is dominated by a large central oval cartouche with intricate guilloche border work, enclosing the issuer name and the denomination in letterpress script reading "vingt francs". At the upper centre within the cartouche, a small vignette shows the cantonal arms of Neuchâtel surmounted by radiating lines. Three signature lines are arranged below the central text for the Contrôleur, Caissier, and Directeur, with an emission date oval tablet at the lower centre and denomination numerals "20" in circular cartouches at left and right flanks. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | BANQUE CANTONALE NEUCHATELOISE IL SERA PAYÉ EN ESPÈCES A VUE AU PORTEUR vingt francs Le Contrôleur Le Caissier Le Directeur ÉMISSION DU 1er AOÛT 1873 20F. |
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| Comments |
The Banque Cantonale Neuchâteloise was established in 1883 — which creates an immediate problem with a claimed 1873 issue date. Either the date is a misattribution, this note predates the formal cantonal bank and was issued by a predecessor institution operating under a similar name, or the Pick reference covers a reissue. The catalog data as presented is internally inconsistent, and caution is warranted before drawing conclusions about origin or issuing authority.
Durey of Geneva was a legitimate Swiss printing house active in this period, and cantonal bank commissions were common work for regional printers.