500 Francs 1st series

Switzerland's first series of National Bank notes, authorized under the Federal Banking Act of 1905, was printed by Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co. before the SNB had even opened its doors — the bank began operations in June 1907, and the notes were essentially ready and waiting. The 500 Francs was the highest denomination in that inaugural set, an unusual choice given Swiss commercial conservatism and the public's long familiarity with the competing cantonal and private bank issues it was designed to replace.

Josef von Storck was a Viennese decorative arts authority, his involvement reflecting the heavy Austrian design influence on the series. Bradbury Wilkinson's intaglio work on the 500 is notably finer than on the lower values.