20 franken 1968

Common. This note was issued as part of a regular currency series (Series 58H) between 1954-1976 with substantial print runs. Secondary market data from realbanknotes.com shows VF examples selling for approximately $8 and even PMG 66 graded specimens realizing only $24.52, indicating widespread availability. The 1968 date falls in the middle of the series' production period. While this specific PMG 67 EPQ specimen represents high quality, the Pick number P-46p itself is not scarce, and common-grade examples remain abundantly available in the collector market.

Issued on May 15, 1968, this banknote was part of Switzerland's Series 58H, representing the Swiss National Bank's commitment to high-quality currency design during a period of monetary stability in post-war Europe. The portrait of General Guillaume Henri-Dufour, a 19th-century Swiss military and political figure, honored the nation's founding principles, while the silver thistle—a native Alpine plant—symbolized Switzerland's natural heritage and independence. The trilingual inscriptions in German, French, and Italian reflect Switzerland's multicultural identity and commitment to national unity.

The obverse features a dignified portrait of General Guillaume Henri-Dufour positioned on the right side within an elegant oval frame, rendered in profile showing his distinctive curled hair and formal 19th-century military attire. The background employs intricate geometric wavy-line patterns in blue, pink, green, and purple, creating sophisticated security ornamentation typical of Swiss Bank Notes. The reverse showcases a botanically accurate rendering of the Carlina acaulis (silver thistle), a protected Alpine plant species, prominently positioned in the center-left, rendered in fine blue intaglio detail. The denomination '20' appears on the right side integrated into decorative geometric patterns. All designs employ the tri-lingual text required by Swiss constitutional convention.

FRONT SIDE: 'SCHWEIZERISCHE NATIONALBANK' (Swiss National Bank - German), 'BANQUE NATIONALE SUISSE' (Swiss National Bank - French), 'BANCA NAZIONALE SVIZZERA' (Swiss National Bank - Italian), 'SERIE 58 H' (Series 58 H), '036555' (Serial Number), '20' (Denomination), 'BERN UND ZURICH, 15. MAI 1968' (Bern and Zurich, May 15, 1968), 'Der Hauptkassier' (The Chief Cashier), 'Ein Mitglied des Direktoriums' (A Member of the Board), 'Der Präsident des Banktitres' (The President of the Bank). REVERSE SIDE: 'SCHWEIZERISCHE NATIONALBANK' (Swiss National Bank - German), 'BANQUE NATIONALE SUISSE' (Swiss National Bank - French), 'BANCA NAZIONALE SVIZZERA' (Swiss National Bank - Italian), '20' (Denomination).

The note was produced using traditional intaglio (engraved) printing by Orell-Füssli (OFZ) of Zurich, the primary security printer for the Swiss National Bank. The multi-color intaglio process is evident from the precise color registration, fine line work in the background patterns, and the exceptional detail visible in the portrait and thistle engraving. The security features include complex geometric line patterns and sophisticated watermark areas, all characteristic of high-security currency production of the 1960s era.

This specimen is identified as Pick P-46p, part of a series containing multiple cataloged variants (P-46d, P-46f, P-46g, P-46i, P-46r, P-46t, P-46u, P-46v) distinguished by printer varieties and signature combinations. The visual analysis indicates this is Series 58H with serial number 036555, issued May 15, 1968 from Bern and Zurich. The specific 'p' designation within the Pick number system relates to printer or signature variations within this denomination and date range. The note exhibits characteristics consistent with standard production by Orell-Füssli (OFZ) during this period.