BERN: The Swiss National Bank (SNB) plans to introduce the first of its new high-tech banknotes in April next year — six years later than initially planned after reported technical problems with its paper supplier.
The new 50-franc banknote will be released next year followed by the 20-franc note in 2017, the central bank said in a statement on Friday. The ten-franc, 100-franc, 200-franc and 1,000-franc bills will be subsequently issued at half-yearly or yearly intervals until 2019, the SNB said.
They will mark the ninth series of banknotes to be issued by the SNB since it started producing banknotes for Switzerland in 1907. But the latest series has encountered problems and repeated delays since a 2005 competition to design the new money, designed with the latest security features to deter counterfeiting. The winning designs featuring blood cells and embryos, by artist Manuel Krebs, was ultimately abandoned by the SNB after public opposition.
Designs by Zurich graphic artist Manuela Pfrunder, the second place winner of the competition, were finally adopted. Unlike the current banknotes, Pfrunder’s designs do not feature images of famous Swiss people. The 50-franc note shows a mountain and figures who appear to be hiking on one side with an image of the sun on the reverse side.
