50 francs 1969

Common. The 50 Francs 1969 (P-48i) is a regular issue from the fourth series with substantial print runs. eBay market data shows typical sold prices in the $12-57 range with frequent sales, indicating good availability in the market. The note was in circulation for extended periods and remains readily obtainable in various grades. The presence of this specific variety (P-48i) among nine cataloged variants for the base Pick number suggests this was a standard production variant.

Issued by the Swiss National Bank on January 15, 1969, this note represents Switzerland's fourth banknote series and reflects the country's cultural identity through its classical design elements. The apple harvest imagery on the reverse symbolizes fertility and prosperity, while the female portrait embodies Swiss artistic traditions of the era. The use of De la Rue as the London printer demonstrates Switzerland's continued reliance on world-leading security printing technology during the Cold War period.

The obverse features a portrait of a classical female figure wearing a floral crown, rendered in green intaglio on the right side, with the denomination '50' prominently displayed in red in the center and an ornate green numeral on the left. The reverse depicts an elaborate allegorical harvest scene in the classical style, showing multiple human figures (women and children) engaged in apple harvesting and agricultural activities, with baskets of fruit and grapevines visible throughout the composition. Both sides feature extensive guilloche patterns and security line work typical of high-security banknote design, with the red circular security elements on the left margin of the reverse serving as additional authentication features. The tri-lingual inscriptions (German, French, Italian) reflect Switzerland's multilingual federal structure.

Front side: 'Schweizerische Nationalbank' (Swiss National Bank - German), 'Banque Nationale Suisse' (Swiss National Bank - French), 'Banca Nazionale Svizzera' (Swiss National Bank - Italian), 'Bern am Zürich, den 15 Januar 1969' (Bern on Zurich, January 15, 1969), 'Der Präsidenten des Banderates' (The President of the Board of Directors), 'Der Mitglieder der [Board]' (The Members of the [Board]), 'Der Hauptkassier' (The Head Cashier), 'PIERRE CAUCHAT PINXIT' (Pierre Cauchat painted this), 'DE LA RUE LONDON FECIT' (De La Rue London made this). Back side: Multiple denominations '50' repeated in various positions; handwritten authentication marks and signatures.

Intaglio engraving printed by De la Rue, London, utilizing multi-color printing techniques with green and red as the dominant colors on a cream/beige base. The extensive guilloche patterns, fine line work, and intricate security features throughout both sides are characteristic of classic intaglio security printing. The design credit to Pierre Cauchat as engraver and De la Rue as printer indicates a professional-grade security printing operation employing state-of-the-art techniques of the 1960s.

This note is identified as Pick P-48i, one of nine documented varieties for the 50 Francs 1969 issue (P-48a through P-48m and P-48s). Varieties are distinguished by printer designations and technical specifications. The serial number 29W97626 and the date of January 15, 1969 on the obverse confirm the issue date. The 'DE LA RUE LONDON FECIT' imprint confirms this as a De la Rue printing (distinguishing it from earlier Waterlow printings referenced as P-47). The extensive handwritten markings suggest this example may have been part of a collector's examined or authenticated lot.