FROM ALTITUDES TO PROGRESS
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«The concept for the new banknote series by C2F presents a progressive and forward-looking Switzerland.»
Each altitude has its own characteristics, which shape the mentality of the Swiss population and thus enable forward-looking contributions to global progress.
The A-sides visualize the essence, quality, and character of the altitudes.
The B-sides present forward-looking moments and document Switzerland’s independent contributions.
LOW ALTITUDE: DIALOGUE AND OPENNESS
A: The urban centers of the lowlands and their proximity to neighboring countries both demand and promote dialogue and openness toward other cultures.
B: Achievements such as the internet, language models or AI tools act as catalysts for connectivity.
Zoom (Quantum computing, AI, Internet)
MIDLAND: COMMUNITY, SUPPLY AND PROSPERITY
A: The polycentric spatial diversity of the Midland, with agriculture, industry, economy, and education, creates the foundation for community, supply and prosperity.
B: Robotics and intelligent systems are revolutionizing production and efficiency.
JURA: CONCENTRATION AND PRECISION
A: The calmness of the Jura landscape promotes concentration and precision.
B: High-precision instruments enable innovative insights and discoveries.
Zoom (Cryo-Electron Microscopy)
PRE-ALPS: INSPIRATION AND RECREATION
A: The world of the Pre-Alps offers inspiration and relaxation.
B: The synthesis of creativity, technology and art acts as an engine of innovation.
MOUNTAINS: ENERGY, VITALITY AND RESPECT
A: The mountains, with their untamed energy, generate vitality and respect.
B: Responsible use of resources creates constructive contributions to environmental awareness.
Zoom (Energy Storage System)
HIGH MOUNTAINS: FORESIGHT AND FUTURE
A: The high mountains, as a repository of knowledge on climate change, demand foresight in shaping our future.
B: The exploration of unknown worlds expands horizons.
Zoom (Hochgebirge: Eis-Wasser)
DESIGN CHARACTERISTICS
OVERVIEW OF BANKNOTE SERIES: A-SIDES
A: OBJECTS
Iconographic features of recognition for the respective altitude zone and theme:
10: Grape – Culture / 20: Apple Blossom – Fertility / 50: Beech Leaf – Complexity / 100: Masterwort – Health / 200: Stone – Permanence / 1000: Ice, Water – Life Force
A: BACKGROUND IMAGES
Illustrate typical elements such as landscape, infrastructure, architecture, people, animals and vegetation of the respective altitude zone:
10: Ticino vineyards, Palais des Nations Geneva / 20: EPFL campus / 50: La Chaux-de-Fonds, Creux du Van, Doubs / 100: Weissenbach viaduct, Voralpen Express / 200: Grande Dixence / 1000: Monte Rosa, Aletsch Glacier
A/B: CARTOGRAPHY
Reliefs:
10: Basel border triangle / 20: Zurich Midland / 50: La Chaux-de-Fonds / 100: Rigi, Lake Lucerne, Lake Zug / 200: Lac de Toules / 1000: Piz Morteratsch
Zoom (Relief Piz Morteratsch)
A: CARTOGRAPHY
Network structures:
10: Social connections / 20: Mobility / 50: Coordinates / 100: Hiking trails / 200: Water systems / 1000: Contour lines
Zoom (Contour Lines of Piz Morteratsch)
A/B: WINDOWS
Graphically reduced representations of the theme:
10: Dialogue, Openness / 20: Community, Supply, Prosperity / 50: Concentration, Precision / 100: Inspiration, Recreation / 200: Energy, Vitality, Respect / 1000: Foresight, Future
A/B: REGISTRATION WINDOW
Swiss cross:
10: 1 outline / 20: 2 outlines / 50: 3 outlines / 100: 4 outlines / 200: 5 outlines / 1000: 6 outlines
A/B: WATERMARK
Globe with six climate zones as an analogy to the six altitude zones of Switzerland:
10: Equatorial climate / 20: Tropical zone / 50: Subtropical zone / 100: Temperate zone / 200: Subpolar zone / 1000: Polar zone
A: SECURITY STRIP
Drawings illustrate the themes of the altitude zones, which are embedded in the DNA of people and are carried from there into the region, across Switzerland and out into the world.
10: Egg cell, hearing and speech, Swiss language regions, Swiss humanitarian projects worldwide / 20: Blood cells, vagus nerve, transport axes, import–export /
50: Bone cell, precision tool hand, geodesy, coordinate system / 100: Immune cell, lungs, quiet zones, solstice / 200: Muscle cells, heart, wind currents, wind systems / 1000: Nerve cells, brain, highest peaks, cross-section of the Earth
OVERVIEW OF BANKNOTE SERIES: B-SIDES
B: OBJECTS
Exemplary examples of Swiss discoveries, inventions, pioneering achievements and innovations as contributions to progress:
1000: Exoplanet, Dimidium Pegasi 51b / 200: Energy Storage System / 100: 3D Concrete Printing, Immersive Performance Space /
50: Cryo-Electron Microscopy / 20: Robotic Labs, Intelligent Systems / 10: Quantum Computing, AI, Internet
B: NETWORK STRUCTURE OF PROGRESS
1000: Constellations / 200: Lightning / 100: Airflow / 50: Geodesy / 20: Transport and Supply Systems / 10: Visualization of the Internet
IDENTIFICATION OF SECURITY FEATURES
TACTILITY
Through materiality and production techniques, the banknote is tactilely recognizable.
A: The value of the banknote can be felt by visually impaired people.
B: Content is also conveyed through haptics.
Zoom
SCENT
Fragrances are applied to the banknotes in microcapsules.
A: The scent of an apple blossom is released through contact with the banknotes.
B: On the reverse side, the fruit is harvested and it smells like apples.
SECURITY WINDOW, WATERMARK, MICROPERFORATION
The window, watermark and microperforation become visible in transmitted light.
A/B: Window: Graphically reduced representation of the theme of precision and concentration.
A/B: Watermark: Globe with the third climate zone – as an analogy to the third altitude zone of Switzerland.
Zoom
THERMOCHROMIC INK
Reversible thermochromic inks react to heat.
A: The thermochromic inks illustrate the active substance of the medicinal plant masterwort.
B: Heat releases creativity and creates a play of light in the Tor Alva.
FLUORESCENT INK
UV inks illuminate the theme of energy, vitality and respect.
A: The Teufelsstein and the water network with the reservoir.
B: The energy storage system, which sustainably stores energy using concrete blocks and releases lightning.
Zoom
REFLECTION
Depending on the incidence of light, the depictions on the security strip and in the window are reflected.
A: Future and foresight, which are embedded in Switzerland’s DNA and carried out into the world, are illustrated in the security strip: nerve cells, brain, human, highest Swiss mountains, cross-section of the Earth.
B: Magnetic inks create an interplay of colors in the window.

New Banknotes Swiss National Bank

The Swiss National Bank (SNB) commissioned C2F to develop a concept for the new banknote series on the theme «Switzerland and its altitudes».

Since 2022, C2F has been working conceptually, artistically, and in terms of security design on the development of a contemporary banknote series, and was able – on behalf of the SNB – to contribute to the development of the new series with the concept «From Altitudes to Progress». The Swiss National Bank will further refine the selected designs in terms of content, graphic design and security features. The new banknote series is expected to be issued no earlier than the early 2030s.

With the kind permission of the Swiss National Bank.