The design of the new banknotes at a glance

With the ninth banknote series the Swiss National Bank broke new ground on the design front – moving away from the depiction of well-known personalities. Each note in the new series depicts a typically Swiss characteristic, which is then illustrated graphically using a key motif. Each characteristic is communicated via an action, a Swiss location and various graphic elements. The inspiration behind the new banknote series is ‘The many facets of Switzerland’.

The 20-franc note

The 20-franc note focuses on Switzerland’s creativity – expressed by light, the note’s key motif.

Main colour: Red

Dimensions: 70 x 130 mm

Date of issue: 17 May 2017

+ + + + + Hand The hand holds a prism through which light is dispersed into various colours.

Globe and constellations The motif of light is echoed in the constellations over the globe.

Kaleidoscope The background of the note is reminiscent of a kaleidoscope in which colourful patterns are produced through reflected light.

Security strip The motif of light also plays an important role on the security strip: night-time light emissions are overlaid on a map of Switzerland and the surrounding regions, and the distances between various celestial bodies and the earth are listed in light seconds. + + + + Film festival Creativity, as can be experienced at a film festival, is expressed through the projection of light onto a screen.

Butterfly Light reveals the colour of the butterfly's wings and allows us to behold the rich diversity of nature.

Iris The lines on the back of the 20-franc note portray an iris, which regulates the amount of light entering the human eye.

There are many other design elements on the note, all of which illustrate its theme of creativity and its key motif, light.

'Swiss Banknotes' app

Discover the new note with the SNB's ‘Swiss Banknotes’ app.