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Sorting and destruction
Check for authenticity
Banknotes that are routed to an SNB bank office are sorted and checked for authenticity in special sorting machines. Authentic banknotes in good condition are put into circulation again. Genuine banknotes that are damaged and dirty are destroyed immediately. Notes that the sorting machine does not clearly recognise as authentic are rejected and must be checked manually. Counterfeit banknotes are handed over to the police.
Notes that are fragmented, burnt, worn, or – due to improper opening of a security case – have been mixed with colour or are otherwise severely damaged are sent to the SNB in Berne for a verification of their authenticity.
Genuine banknotes will be redeemed at their nominal value if their series and number are recognisable and more than half of the individual banknote is presented. If exactly half of a banknote is given to the SNB, the customer will be credited with half of the note's nominal value.
Destruction of banknotes
The sorting machines used for the processing of banknotes have an integrated shredder, which, in one and the same process, destroys banknotes that have been recognised as authentic but are no longer useable. What remain are snippets of banknotes, which are pressed and subsequently brought to a public waste incineration plant.
The life span of banknotes
The life span of a banknote varies depending on the denomination. Large denominations tend to have a longer life expectancy than small ones. In 2010, destroyed notes accounted for 16% of the notes processed. Thus every sixth note processed had to be taken out of circulation.
In 2010, the SNB put 75.2 million freshly printed banknotes with a total nominal value of CHF 5.1 billion into circulation. It destroyed 77.3 million damaged or recalled banknotes with a nominal value of CHF 4.8 billion.
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