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20 Francs - Federal Treasury French text
| Issuer | Swiss Federal Treasury (Caisse Fédérale Suisse) |
|---|---|
| Year | 1914 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Franc (1850-date) |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Printer | Log in to see details |
| Designer(s) | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Printed in blue on white paper, the obverse carries a portrait vignette of Libertas at left and a portrait of Arnold Winkelried at right, with the Swiss federal arms centred at the top above the main text panel. All inscriptions are rendered in French, with the denomination VINGT FRANCS stated in the central legend. The overall composition is framed by a fine guilloche border. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Printed in blue, the reverse centres on an elaborate guilloche medallion incorporating the trilingual denomination in horizontal bands across the middle of the note. Numeral counters appear at left and right within ornate lozenge-shaped frames, and a fine geometric lathe-work border encloses the entire composition. |
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| Comments |
Switzerland mobilized reserves rapidly in August 1914, and these Federal Treasury notes — distinct from National Bank issues — were authorized as emergency currency to ease the immediate liquidity crisis triggered by the outbreak of war. The Caisse Fédérale Suisse had no standing apparatus for mass note production, which is why the series was rushed out with minimal security features relative to contemporary Swiss banking paper.
Stückelberg was primarily a painter and muralist, not a professional banknote designer — his involvement reflects the ad hoc nature of the commission. The French-text variant existed alongside German and Italian versions to serve the Confederation's linguistic regions, each printed separately rather than bilingual.
The series was withdrawn quickly once the National Bank stabilized supply, leaving P#21 with a short actual circulation window.