Winner of the design competition for the new banknote series

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Dialogue – Multiple Perspectives on Interconnected Ecosystems

From the lowlands to the peaks, living organisms adapt to Switzerland’s varied topography. On the front, local plants are depicted at life size — an invitation to notice what surrounds us, whether at a bus stop, at the table, or on a hike. On the back, the perspective broadens: visual compositions evoke the built environment and landscapes emblematic of national identity.

The banknote series is rich in layered information, inviting exploration of our country. In the front-to-back registration marks visible through transparency, native insects appear. As symbols of Switzerland’s geological foundations, prehistoric animals discovered in the country are concealed within the watermarks, while geological strata run through the security bands.

All the banknotes are visually interconnected, forming a panorama of Switzerland in its diversity. Altitudinal elements engage in dialogue, plants extend beyond their denominations, and modes of transport connect the different levels: everything is linked.

Client: Swiss National Bank

CHF 10, Lowlands, 193 – 350m : Greater plantain, a food source for insects and a symbol of urban biodiversity, grows unnoticed in our cities. On the reverse, a train — representing mobility and connections between regions — links the science of CERN with the culture of the Schaulager.

CHF 20, Swiss Plateau, 350 – 850m : Rich in protein, peas grow both in Switzerland’s kitchen gardens and in pocket gardens. The living tradition of drifting down the Aare by boat, the NEST building (a laboratory for the housing and energy of tomorrow), and ways of living between city and countryside all reflect a balanced relationship with the living world.

CHF 50, 550 — 1600m, Jura : The European beech, a symbol of stability, appears only partially at life size. On the reverse, the tree unfolds in its full splendor — surrounded by a dry-stone wall, the La Dôle measuring station, and regional architecture embodying the craftsmanship passed down from farmer-watchmakers. Tradition and modernity enter into dialogue.

CHF 100, Pre-Alps, 850 – 1600m : In flower-filled meadows grows golden oat, a nourishing grass and fodder for livestock. The landscape is shaped by alpine farming and tourism: a mountain dairy with shingle roofing, hiking trails, and a cable car.

CHF 200, Alpine Zone, 1600 – 2500m : Bilberry shrubs provide shelter and food for small mammals while protecting the soil from erosion. The gathering of wild plants is also a living tradition here, recognized as intangible cultural heritage. The Glacier Express and the dam reflect technology integrated into the natural landscape.

CHF 1000, High Mountains, 2500 – 4634m : Few flowering plants grow at such high altitudes as the glacier buttercup. Here, human beings demonstrate a pioneering spirit — at the Jungfraujoch observatory, through mountaineering in extreme conditions, and in bold architectural achievements such as the Monte Rosa Hut.

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