Product Description:
MetalStacks proudly presents a distinguished piece of European currency with this Switzerland 20 Franken (Francs) Banknote from the Sixth Series (1976–2000), featuring an iconic engraved portrait of Horace-Bénédict de Saussure (1740–1799) — the legendary Swiss physicist, geologist, and alpinist who pioneered modern Alpine science and was instrumental in the first successful ascent of Mont Blanc, Europe's highest peak.
(PSV 20)
Issued by the Swiss National Bank (Schweizerische Nationalbank / Banque Nationale Suisse / Banca Nazionale Svizzera / Banca Naziunala Svizra), this note represents Switzerland's celebrated tradition of honoring its scholars, scientists, and cultural figures on its national currency — a tradition that distinguishes Swiss banknotes from most world currencies, which typically depict political leaders. The note prominently displays the Swiss Confederation cross, identifying its sovereign origin, with the denomination "20 FRANKEN / 20 FRANCS / 20 FRANCHI / 20 FRANCS" appearing in the four official languages of Switzerland: German, French, Italian, and Romansh — a uniquely Swiss tradition reflecting the country's multilingual heritage.
This particular example is housed in a protective rigid currency holder and elegantly presented within a handsome wood display frame with a black matted backdrop, transforming it into a finished showcase piece ready for immediate display. The note exhibits natural signs of age and circulation consistent with its vintage, with subtle toning, paper texture variations, and minor staining that enhance its authenticity and historical character. Only one note is available, and it bears a unique serial number, making this a truly one-of-one collectible offering.
Note Information
- Country: Switzerland (Swiss Confederation)
- Denomination: 20 Franken / 20 Francs (CHF 20)
- Series: Sixth Series (1976–2000)
- Type: Swiss National Bank Banknote
- Serial Number: 78L0070478
- Portrait: Horace-Bénédict de Saussure (1740–1799) — Swiss Physicist, Geologist & Alpinist
- Issuing Authority: Schweizerische Nationalbank (Swiss National Bank / SNB)
- Grade: Circulated
- Paper Type: High-quality Swiss banknote paper (cotton blend)
- Languages: German, French, Italian, Romansh (four official Swiss languages)
- Status: Demonetized (discontinued from circulation April 30, 2000)
- Presentation: Rigid currency holder mounted within a wood display frame
- Availability: One (1) note only
Design Details
Obverse: Features a striking portrait of Horace-Bénédict de Saussure rendered in fine engraving, with the bold blue "20" denomination prominently displayed at the upper left. Saussure's name and dates ("Horace-Bénédict de Saussure 1740–1799") appear beneath his portrait. The intricate guilloché background pattern features hexagonal honeycomb-style security elements and ornamental flourishes characteristic of high-end Swiss banknote production. The denomination is repeated in vertical text along the left edge in four languages: "Vingt Francs / Venti Franchi." The inscription "BANQUE NATIONALE SUISSE / BANCA NAZIONALE SVIZZERA" runs along the left side, identifying the issuing authority in French and Italian. A small Swiss cross appears at the upper left, denoting Swiss sovereignty.
Reverse: Displays a vivid artistic depiction inspired by Saussure's groundbreaking 1787 expedition to the summit of Mont Blanc — featuring stylized figures of mountaineers ascending the peak, accompanied by an artistic interpretation of the famous ammonite fossil spiral (representing Saussure's geological contributions). The bold blue "20" denomination appears alongside "Zwanzig Franken / Vingt Francs" in German and French. The text "SCHWEIZERISCHE NATIONALBANK / BANCA NAZIUNALA SVIZRA" runs along the right edge in German and Romansh, completing the multilingual identification of the issuing authority. The serial number 78L0070478 appears in vertical text along the design. This artistic, science-and-adventure-inspired reverse is a hallmark of Switzerland's Sixth Series banknotes, which celebrated Swiss intellectual and exploratory achievements rather than political or geographic imagery.
Historical Significance
The Switzerland 20 Franken Sixth Series banknote represents a uniquely Swiss approach to currency design and a celebration of one of history's most influential scientists and adventurers.
Horace-Bénédict de Saussure (1740–1799): Born in Conches, Geneva, Horace-Bénédict de Saussure was a pioneering Swiss physicist, geologist, and one of the founding figures of modern Alpine science and mountaineering. His extensive scientific work in the Alps over four decades fundamentally shaped the fields of meteorology, geology, mineralogy, and atmospheric physics:
- Pioneered the scientific study of the Alps through dozens of expeditions, publishing his foundational four-volume work "Voyages dans les Alpes" (1779–1796)
- Invented the hair hygrometer (a device measuring atmospheric humidity using human hair) in 1783 — still influential in modern meteorology
- Coined the term "geology" in its modern scientific sense
- Sponsored and funded the first successful ascent of Mont Blanc in 1786 by Jacques Balmat and Michel Paccard, then climbed the peak himself in 1787 — the third recorded ascent in history
- Conducted groundbreaking atmospheric experiments at high altitude, measuring temperature, pressure, and humidity in conditions never before scientifically documented
- Helped establish the foundations of modern mountaineering as a serious scientific and recreational pursuit
His face on the Swiss 20-Franken note represents Switzerland's celebrated tradition of honoring its scientific pioneers — a striking contrast to most world currencies that depict political figures.
The Sixth Series (1976–2000): Designed by Swiss artists Ernst and Ursula Hiestand, the Sixth Series of Swiss banknotes is widely celebrated for its artistic, science-and-culture-themed designs. Each denomination featured a different prominent Swiss figure:
- 10 Franken: Leonhard Euler (mathematician)
- 20 Franken: Horace-Bénédict de Saussure (physicist, geologist, alpinist)
- 50 Franken: Konrad Gessner (naturalist)
- 100 Franken: Francesco Borromini (architect)
- 500 Franken: Albrecht von Haller (physiologist, poet)
- 1000 Franken: Auguste Forel (psychiatrist, entomologist)
The series was issued from 1976 through 2000 and was officially demonetized and removed from circulation on April 30, 2000, replaced by the Eighth Series. The Sixth Series remains one of the most beloved and collected Swiss banknote series among numismatists worldwide.
The Mont Blanc Connection: The reverse design's depiction of mountaineers ascending Mont Blanc directly references Saussure's most famous historical contribution — his role as the patron and pioneer of high-altitude alpine science. In 1760, the young Saussure famously offered a monetary prize to the first person to successfully climb Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps and Western Europe at 4,808 meters (15,774 feet). It took 26 years before Balmat and Paccard claimed the prize in 1786, after which Saussure himself summited the peak the following year — conducting the first scientific experiments ever performed at such altitude. This single act is widely credited as the birth of modern mountaineering and alpine science, making the Mont Blanc imagery on this note one of the most historically meaningful designs in Swiss currency history.
Multilingual Heritage: The note's denomination appears in all four official languages of Switzerland — German (Zwanzig Franken), French (Vingt Francs), Italian (Venti Franchi), and Romansh (Venti Francs/Vingt Francs). This multilingual presentation reflects Switzerland's unique federal structure as a confederation of distinct linguistic and cultural regions, and is a defining visual element of Swiss currency.
Demonetized & Discontinued Status: As an officially demonetized banknote, the Sixth Series 20 Franken is no longer legal tender in Switzerland and cannot be exchanged at face value at Swiss banks. However, the Swiss National Bank historically maintained a 20-year window for exchange of demonetized notes (a policy that has since been amended to indefinite exchange for certain series). The discontinued status makes these notes increasingly scarce in collectible condition and elevates their appeal to international currency collectors.
The Swiss National Bank: Founded in 1907, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) is Switzerland's central bank, responsible for monetary policy and the issuance of all Swiss Franc banknotes. The SNB is widely recognized as one of the most respected and conservative central banks in the world, known for its careful management of the Swiss Franc as a global "safe haven" currency. Notes bearing the SNB's authority represent the financial heritage of one of the world's most stable and prosperous economies.
Presentation
This Swiss banknote is securely housed in a protective rigid currency holder and elegantly mounted within a wood display frame with a black matted background, ready for immediate display on a desk, shelf, mantel, or wall. The framed setup protects the note while allowing full visibility of its design, vibrant blue color scheme, Saussure portrait, multilingual inscriptions, and serial number. As with all MetalStacks offerings, the note has been carefully handled and verified for authenticity.
Because only one example is available, the exact note shown — including its distinct serial number and individual condition — is the note you will receive.
For additional details or collector inquiries, please contact MetalStacks at (561) 529-3001.