5 francs 1942
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4 salesAbout This Note
This is a Swiss National Bank 5 Francs note from 1942 (Pick-11j), featuring the classic allegorical design characteristic of the third series of Swiss francs. The note displays excellent classical engraving with an ornate seated female figure in a medallion on the obverse, surrounded by intricate guilloche patterns and multilingual inscriptions. In Fine (F) condition, this note shows age-appropriate handling marks, creasing, and paper aging to cream/beige tones, representing a well-preserved example from the wartime period with a catalog value of approximately $17.50.
Common. The 1942 issue of the 5 Francs (P-11j) is a regular issue from a major printing run during wartime, with no known recall or restriction. eBay pricing data shows recent sales ranging from $6.05 to $82.99 depending on condition, with most circulated examples (VF/F grades) selling in the $9-11 range. The 2016 catalog value of $17.50 for Fine condition, combined with consistent availability at modest prices, confirms this as a common date and denomination in the third series. Millions of these notes were printed and many survive today.
Issued on December 4, 1942, during Switzerland's neutral stance in World War II, this note represents the third series of Swiss francs introduced in 1907. The allegorical female figure and elaborate artistic design reflect the Swiss banking tradition of combining classical aesthetics with sophisticated security features, while the trilingual inscriptions in German, French, and Italian emphasize Switzerland's national unity across linguistic regions during a period of significant geopolitical tension.
The obverse features a classical seated allegorical female figure representing Switzerland or prosperity, positioned within an ornate circular medallion on the left side, consistent with the third series design philosophy. The reverse displays the central focus as an elaborate oval medallion containing an ornately flourished numeral '5', with additional denomination numerals in all four corners. Both sides are dominated by intricate guilloche patterns and fine-line geometric and floral border designs. A Swiss cross within a shield appears at the top center of the obverse. The multilingual text appears in three official languages reflecting Switzerland's federal structure. Serial number 024271 and date information (4 December 1942) are prominently displayed on the front. The color scheme employs olive-green underprint with red, blue, and black printing on the obverse, transitioning to monochromatic brown, tan, and beige tones on the reverse.
FRONT: 'Schweizerische Nationalbank' (Swiss National Bank - German), 'Banque Nationale Suisse' (Swiss National Bank - French), 'Banca Nazionale Svizzera' (Swiss National Bank - Italian), 'Fünf Franken' (Five Francs - German), 'Cinq Francs' (Five Francs - French), 'Cinque Franchi' (Five Francs - Italian), 'Serie 24' (Series 24), 'No 024271' (Serial Number), 'Bern und Zürich, 4. Dezember 1942' (Bern and Zurich, 4 December 1942), 'Der Präsident des Bankrates' (The President of the Bank Council), 'Der Hauptkassier' (The Chief Cashier), 'Ein Mitglied des Direktoriums' (A Member of the Board of Directors). BACK: 'Schweizerische Nationalbank' (Swiss National Bank - German), 'Banque Nationale Suisse' (Swiss National Bank - French), 'Banca Nazionale Svizzera' (Swiss National Bank - Italian), with central ornate numeral '5' and corner denomination marks.
This note was produced using classical intaglio engraving (line engraving), the standard technique for Swiss National Bank currency during this period. The extensive guilloche patterns, fine-line borders, and detailed allegorical figure were engraved by hand into steel plates, then printed using the intaglio method which creates the characteristic raised impressions visible on high-quality examples. The note was printed by Orell Füssli, the traditional Swiss security printer for SNB currency. Multiple color printing was achieved through sequential passes of different colored inks, typical of Swiss banknote production in the 1940s.
This is Pick-11j, one of eight documented variants for the base Pick number 11 series (variants range from P-11c through P-11s according to PMG records). The P-11j variant typically corresponds to notes from the 1942 printing with specific signature combinations and series designations. Series 24 with serial number 024271 places this within the documented range for this variety. Detailed variety attribution would require comparison of the three signatures (President of Bank Council, Chief Cashier, and Board Member) against known signature combinations for P-11j, which are not fully detailed in the available reference data.
