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20 Francs 3rd series, reserve banknote
| Issuer | Swiss National Bank |
|---|---|
| Year | 1923 |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Engraver(s) | Ferdinand Schirnböck |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | 20 20 SCHWEIZERISCHE NATIONALBANK BANCA NAZIONALE SVIZZERA BANQUE NATIONALE SUISSE GESETZGEBUNG ÜBER DIE SCHWEIZERISCHE NATIONALBANK ZWANZIG FRANKEN VINGT FRANCS VENTI FRANCHI BERN UND ZÜRICH DEN 16.MAI 1923. DER PRÄSIDENT DES BANKRATES: DER HAUPTKASSIER: EIN MITGLIED DES DIREKTORIUMS: 20 20 ART INSTITUT ORELL FÜSSLI - ZÜRICH |
| Reverse description | Printed in dark blue-violet, the reverse is dominated by a large central oval guilloche containing the numeral '20' in bold intaglio script, encircled by the trilingual bank name. The surrounding field is filled with intricate lathe-work and geometric guilloche patterns, with corner medallions each bearing the numeral '20' and a Swiss cross cartouche at top center. |
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| Comments |
The SNB's reserve series of the 1910s and 1920s were printed well in advance of intended issue dates and held in storage — a deliberate buffer against monetary disruption. This 20 Franc note was part of that precautionary stockpile, meaning many examples never saw active circulation at all, printed and vaulted rather than handled.
Schirnböck was a Viennese engraver of considerable reputation, and his involvement here reflects the cross-border professional networks Swiss printing houses maintained even in the years immediately following the First World War.