New banknotes for Switzerland

The new 100-franc note has arrived. This is the sixth and final denomination in the new banknote series phased in by the Swiss National Bank between 2016 and 2019. Notes from the eighth series remain valid until further notice.

More than 20 years have passed since the last banknote series was issued, and during this time, the world has undergone a technological quantum leap. A new series is therefore required in order to maintain our high security standards and protect the public against counterfeits. The new series equips Switzerland with banknotes that are both more modern and more secure than the previous generation.

The design of the new banknotes at a glance:

Security conceptFeature:Along the long edges of the note are a series of short, raised lines to help the visually impaired.

Test:Run your fingers along the edges of the note: the tactile lines can be clearly felt. In the case of the 100-franc note, there are four blocks of these tactile lines.

Feature:At position E, two watermarks – the Swiss flag and the globe – are incorporated into the note.

Test:Hold the note up to the light: on the left, you can see the outline of the Swiss flag and, on the right, the globe.

Feature:At position C, the Swiss cross is printed in such a way that it can only be seen from a particular angle.

Test:Hold the note in front of you and tilt it backwards: the Swiss cross stands out from the background.

Feature:In the lower section of the note is an incomplete Swiss cross.

Test:Hold the note up to the light: a complete Swiss cross appears in outline.

Feature:At position B, inside the Swiss flag, you will find a piece of text written in the four national languages.

Test:Examine the Swiss flag with a magnifying glass: you can make out the text in microlettering. Some of the text is in dark letters on a light background and some in light-coloured letters on a dark background.

Feature:At the top right of the note is a globe which only becomes visible under ultraviolet light.

Test:Examine the note under ultraviolet light: the globe will show up brightly, while the background remains dull in contrast.

Feature:Both sides of the note contain infrared properties.

Test:Examine the note with an infrared camera: the appearance changes, with certain elements turning monochrome and others disappearing altogether.

Feature:In the centre of the note is a depiction of a shimmering globe.

Test:Tilt the note from left to right: a violet arc moves across the globe.

Now hold the note in front of you and tilt it backwards: the colour of the globe changes.

Source of information: Swiss National Bank