5 francs 1949

Common. This 1949 5 Francs note (Pick P-11n) is a regular-issue denomination from a major, stable issuing authority with no documented short print run or recall. Market data from realbanknotes.com shows multiple VF-graded examples selling between $4.12 and $8.50 on eBay from 2015-2018, well below the $20 threshold for rarity. The note remains affordable and appears regularly in the secondary market, indicating substantial original circulation and continued availability.

This note was issued on 20 January 1949, in the immediate post-World War II period when Switzerland was re-establishing its monetary stability under the Schweizerische Nationalbank. The classical imagery, including the bearded male portrait in period dress and decorative Swiss crosses, reflects Switzerland's design tradition emphasizing national identity and cultural heritage during a period of economic recovery and democratic governance.

The obverse features a classical male portrait—likely representing a historical Swiss figure—in a circular medallion on the left side, rendered in fine detail within an ornate frame. The center displays the issuing authority name in Switzerland's three official languages (German, French, Italian), reflecting the nation's federal multilingual character. The reverse showcases a large decorative numeral '5' in an elaborate spiral and circular scroll pattern, surrounded by concentric circles and ornamental shell and fan-like patterns in the corners. Throughout both sides, a Swiss cross (white cross on shield) appears prominently in the upper center. The color scheme employs cream/beige backgrounds with green and brown primary colors, complemented by black ink fine-line work. The entire note is protected by intricate cross-hatching and parallel line engraving patterns characteristic of high-security banknote production.

FRONT SIDE: 'SCHWEIZERISCHE NATIONALBANK' (Swiss National Bank), 'BANCA NAZIONALE SVIZZERA' (Italian: Swiss National Bank), 'BANQUE NATIONALE SUISSE' (French: Swiss National Bank), 'FÜNF FRANKEN / CINQ FRANCS / CINQUE FRANCHI' (Five Francs in German/French/Italian), 'Bern und Zürich, 20. Januar 1949' (Bern and Zurich, 20 January 1949), 'Der Präsident des Bankrates' (President of the Bank Council), 'Der Hauptkassier' (The Chief Cashier), 'Ein Mitglied des Direktoriums' (A Member of the Directorate), signed by 'P.O. Müller', 'Blumers', and 'P. Hellen', Serial: 'SERIE 45 S No 048520' and 'No 948520'. BACK SIDE: 'SCHWEIZERISCHE NATIONALBANK', 'BANCA NAZIONALE SUISSE', 'BANCA NAZIONALE SVIZZERA', and the numeral '5'.

Intaglio line engraving, the standard security printing method for Swiss National Bank notes of this era. The note displays characteristic fine-line engraving with detailed cross-hatching throughout, complex geometric patterns, and precision-printed decorative elements. This technique was difficult to counterfeit and was the primary security method employed by Swiss printers, likely produced by Orell Füssli or a similar official security printer authorized for SNB currency production.

This specimen is identified as Pick catalog variant P-11n, one of eight documented variants (P-11c, P-11h, P-11j, P-11m, P-11n, P-11o, P-11p, P-11s) for the base 1949 5 Francs issue. The note bears Series 45 S with serial number 048520 on the obverse and 948520 on the reverse. The signatures of P.O. Müller (President of Bank Council), Blumers (Chief Cashier), and P. Hellen (Member of Directorate) appear as printed authorities. Variants within this series typically distinguish themselves by date variations, signature combinations, or serial number prefixes; the 'S' prefix indicates this belongs to the 45 S series variant.