KBA-Giori produced this note as a technical demonstration piece — a so-called "specimen of art" designed to showcase the firm's intaglio and offset capabilities to central bank clients rather than for any circulating currency. The Jules Verne theme was chosen for the 2004–2005 promotional cycle, likely timed to the centenary of Verne's death in March 1905. Renato Manfredi's engraving is the real point of interest here: intaglio portraits on demonstration notes are often deliberately complex, intended to push the press to its limits rather than meet a production brief.
KBA-Giori, formed from the merger of Koenig & Bauer's banknote division with De La Rue Giori, was headquartered in Lausanne at the time of printing.
KBA-Giori produced this note as a technical demonstration piece — a so-called "specimen of art" designed to showcase the firm's intaglio and offset capabilities to central bank clients rather than for any circulating currency. The Jules Verne theme was chosen for the 2004–2005 promotional cycle, likely timed to the centenary of Verne's death in March 1905. Renato Manfredi's engraving is the real point of interest here: intaglio portraits on demonstration notes are often deliberately complex, intended to push the press to its limits rather than meet a production brief.
KBA-Giori, formed from the merger of Koenig & Bauer's banknote division with De La Rue Giori, was headquartered in Lausanne at the time of printing.