Check if your note is genuine

The new banknotes meet Switzerland’s traditionally high security standards for its currency. They have numerous security features – some new, some tried and tested. Using a range of technologies, these features are incorporated into the note’s innovative, three-layer substrate (Durasafe®). The new series offers a unique combination of complex security features and sophisticated design, making it difficult to counterfeit.

Although the design elements differ from note to note, the security concept is identical across the entire series. The security features described here are based on those of the 100-franc note.

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  • GLOBE TEST

    Feature:

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

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    Test:

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

    banknote_widget_series_9_security_concept_denomination_100_front_detail_01_2a.n.jpg banknote_widget_series_9_security_concept_denomination_100_front_detail_01_2b.n.jpg

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

  • SECURITY STRIP TEST

    Feature:

    In the bottom half of the note is a security strip.

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    Test:

    Tilt the note from left to right: red and green numbers appear on four lines. On tilting, the numbers on these lines move in opposite directions.

    Hold the note in front of you: in silver, you will see a map of Switzerland, a network of waterways, a list of the longest Swiss rivers, and the number 100.

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    Now slowly tilt the note backwards: the outline of Switzerland overlaid with the rivers appears in rainbow colours. In addition to this, little shining Swiss crosses are visible inside the number 100.

  • CROSS TEST

    Feature:

    On the top left of the note – at position A – is a transparent Swiss cross.

    banknote_widget_series_9_security_concept_denomination_100_front_detail_03_1.n.jpg
    Test:

    Hold the Swiss cross up to the light: it will turn into the Swiss flag.

  • HAND TEST

    Feature:

    The hand, the number 100 and the bank's name can be felt thanks to the raised print produced by intaglio printing.

    banknote_widget_series_9_security_concept_denomination_100_front_detail_04_1.n.jpg
    Test:

    Run your fingers over the hand: you will be able to feel the raised print. Rub the hand onto a piece of light-coloured paper: it will leave behind traces of colour.

    banknote_widget_series_9_security_concept_denomination_100_front_detail_04_2.n.jpg

    Run your fingers over the number 100 or the bank's name: you will be able to feel the raised print. Rub the number 100 or the bank's name onto a piece of light-coloured paper: they will leave behind traces of colour.

  • MICROPERF®

    Feature:

    A perforated Swiss cross can be found at position D.

    banknote_widget_series_9_security_concept_denomination_100_front_detail_05_1.n.jpg
    Test:

    Hold the note up to the light: the finely perforated Swiss cross appears especially clearly. The cross is made up of a grid of equidistant holes.

  • TACTILE ELEMENTS FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED

    Feature:

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

    banknote_widget_series_9_security_concept_denomination_100_front_detail_06_1.n.jpg
    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.

  • WATERMARK

    Feature:

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

    banknote_widget_series_9_security_concept_denomination_100_front_detail_07_1.n.jpg
    banknote_widget_series_9_security_concept_denomination_100_front_detail_07_2.n.jpg
    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.

  • TILT EFFECT

    Feature:

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

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    Test:

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

  • SEE-THROUGH REGISTER

    Feature:

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

    banknote_widget_series_9_security_concept_denomination_100_front_detail_09_1.n.jpg
    Test:

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

  • MICROTEXT

    Feature:

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

    banknote_widget_series_9_security_concept_denomination_100_front_detail_10_1.n.jpg
    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.

  • ULTRAVIOLET GLOBE

    Feature:

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

    banknote_widget_series_9_security_concept_denomination_100_front_detail_11_1.n.jpg
    Test:

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

  • ULTRAVIOLET FIBRES

    Feature:

    The paper contains flecks which only become visible under ultraviolet light.

    banknote_widget_series_9_security_concept_denomination_100_front_detail_12_1.n.jpg
    Test:

    Examine the note under ultraviolet light: all over the note you will see flecks light up in different colours.

  • INFRARED PROPERTIES

    Feature:

    Both sides of the note contain infrared properties.

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    Test:

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

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  • TRIANGLE TEST

    Feature:

    Below the number 100 is a triangle containing a glittering security thread.

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    Test:

    Hold the note up to the light: the security thread appears as a continuous line. The Swiss flag and the number 100 also appear at regular intervals along the thread.

  • SEE-THROUGH REGISTER

    Feature:

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

    banknote_widget_series_9_security_concept_denomination_100_back_detail_02_1.n.jpg
    Test:

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

  • SERIAL NUMBER

    Feature:

    An identical number, consisting of one letter and nine numbers, is printed in two places.

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    banknote_widget_series_9_security_concept_denomination_100_back_detail_03_2.n.jpg
    Test:

    The serial number is visible in two places in different fonts.

  • ULTRAVIOLET FIBRES

    Feature:

    The paper contains flecks which only become visible under ultraviolet light.

    banknote_widget_series_9_security_concept_denomination_100_back_detail_04_1.n.jpg
    Test:

    Examine the note under ultraviolet light: all over the note you will see flecks light up in different colours.

  • INFRARED PROPERTIES

    Feature:

    Both sides of the note have infrared properties.

    banknote_widget_series_9_security_concept_denomination_100_back_detail_05_1.n.jpg
    Test:

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

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