The future of Swiss banknotes is beginning to take form, and the process behind the new series is just as fascinating as the designs themselves. In March 2026, the Swiss National Bank announced that the design studio Emphase Ltd had won the competition to develop the country’s future tenth banknote series. The selected concept, known as Concept J, focuses on the theme of “Switzerland and its altitudes.”
For collectors and numismatists, this announcement is significant not only because Switzerland is widely regarded as a leader in modern banknote design, but also because the final concept was shaped through an unusually public and transparent selection process.
A National Survey Helped Determine the Winning Design
One of the most remarkable aspects of the project was the role played by public opinion. Rather than selecting a design solely through an internal committee, the SNB incorporated a nationwide survey and public exhibition into the competition process.
According to official presentation material released by the SNB, more than 300 applications were initially submitted, from which 12 design teams were selected for the first phase of the competition. Between February and July 2025, participating studios developed conceptual proposals for the future banknote series.
The process then moved beyond the design studios and into the public sphere. From August to September 2025, the SNB organized a public survey that allowed citizens to evaluate and respond to the proposed concepts. The final results combined the assessments of an advisory board with the results of the public consultation, giving both sides equal weighting in parts of the evaluation process.
This approach reflects a broader modern understanding of banknotes as cultural objects rather than purely monetary instruments. Currency is one of the most visible symbols of national identity, and the SNB’s decision to include public participation demonstrates how seriously that symbolic role is taken in Switzerland.
source: SNB
The Winning Concept: “Switzerland and its Altitudes”
The selected concept explores Switzerland through its changing elevations, moving visually from lowland regions and lakes to mountain landscapes and alpine peaks. Rather than focusing on historical personalities, the future series aims to represent the relationship between geography, society, and national identity.
The theme aligns naturally with Switzerland’s international image. Mountains have long shaped the country’s economy, architecture, transportation networks, and environmental culture. By centering the new banknotes around altitude and landscape, the SNB appears to be creating a series that emphasizes Switzerland itself as the core subject.
For collectors, this thematic direction is especially appealing because it continues Switzerland’s tradition of highly conceptual banknote design. The current ninth series already moved away from traditional portraits in favor of abstract themes such as time, light, wind, and communication. The future tenth series seems ready to continue that innovative philosophy.
source: SNB
A Closer Look at “Concept J”
New information released by the Swiss National Bank provides a much deeper look into the artistic philosophy behind the winning “Concept J” proposal developed by Emphase Ltd.
Rather than presenting Switzerland through a single visual narrative, the concept is designed as a “dialogue” between different landscapes, habitats, and human activity across the country’s varying altitudes. Each denomination represents a distinct elevation zone of Switzerland, creating what the designers describe as a visual cross-section of the nation itself.
One of the most distinctive aspects of the proposal is its strong ecological focus. Native Swiss plants appear prominently on the front of the banknotes and are depicted to scale, encouraging viewers to observe the country’s natural environment more consciously, whether in cities, rural landscapes, or alpine regions.
The reverse sides broaden the perspective by combining landscapes with architecture, transportation, science, and engineering achievements that define modern Switzerland. The concept emphasizes the interconnected relationship between nature and society, with design elements visually flowing across denominations to reinforce the idea that all regions and ecosystems are linked.
The individual denominations also reveal unusually detailed thematic storytelling:
- The 10-franc note focuses on the Swiss lowlands and urban biodiversity, featuring the broadleaf plantain alongside symbols of mobility and scientific research, including CERN.
- The 20-franc note represents the Central Plateau with imagery connected to sustainability, modern housing, and adaptation to nature.
- The 50-franc denomination highlights the Jura region through watchmaking traditions, regional architecture, and the common beech tree as a symbol of stability.
- The 100-franc note explores alpine foothills with references to tourism, mountain agriculture, and traditional cheese production.
- The 200-franc note centers on the Alps themselves, combining wild blueberry landscapes with engineering achievements such as dams and the Glacier Express railway.
- Finally, the 1000-franc note reaches the High Alps, depicting scientific research at Jungfraujoch, alpine climbing, and sustainable construction in extreme environments.
Collectors will also appreciate the remarkable level of detail incorporated into the security and symbolic elements of the concept. Indigenous insects appear in transparent register areas, geological strata are integrated into security strips, and watermarks contain prehistoric animals discovered in Switzerland.
This layered approach suggests that the future Swiss franc series may become one of the most intellectually and artistically ambitious banknote projects ever attempted. Rather than relying solely on visual appeal, the notes are designed to reward close examination, something that makes them especially attractive from a numismatic perspective.
Why Swiss Banknotes Are So Highly Respected
Swiss franc notes have earned global admiration for combining advanced technology with strong artistic identity. Their vertical layouts, vibrant colors, and sophisticated security features have made them some of the most recognizable modern banknotes in circulation.
What distinguishes Swiss currency is the way technical elements are integrated into the visual composition. Security devices are not merely functional additions; they form part of the design itself. This fusion of technology and aesthetics has helped Swiss notes receive numerous international awards over the years.
Because of this reputation, every redesign attracts intense interest from collectors around the world. Major transitions between banknote series often become important moments in numismatic history, particularly when they involve countries known for design innovation.
Explore the diverse world of Swiss banknotes here.
A Long Development Process Ahead
Although the winning concept has now been selected, the actual banknotes remain years away from circulation. The SNB is expected to continue refining the artistic direction, technical specifications, and security features throughout the remainder of the decade.
The competition itself was carefully structured in multiple stages. Official SNB documents show that the final evaluation combined results from both competition phases, weighted at 60% and 40% respectively. The shortlisted concepts were also displayed publicly at the SNB Forum in Zurich in March 2026, giving visitors an opportunity to view the proposals firsthand.
For numismatists, this extended timeline creates a rare opportunity to follow the birth of a major banknote series from its earliest conceptual stages through to eventual circulation.
Final Thoughts
The development of Switzerland’s future banknotes demonstrates how modern currency design has evolved into a collaboration between art, technology, and public identity. By incorporating national surveys and public exhibitions into the decision-making process, the Swiss National Bank transformed the redesign project into something broader than a standard technical update.
For collectors of world paper money, the upcoming Swiss franc series is already becoming one of the most anticipated numismatic projects of the decade. Whether viewed as works of graphic design, symbols of national culture, or future collectible issues, the next generation of Swiss banknotes promises to continue the country’s remarkable tradition of innovation in currency design.
Sources
- Swiss National Bank. Development of New Banknote Series – News Conference of 4 March 2026. Presentation by Antoine Martin and Sébastien Kraenzlin. Zurich: Swiss National Bank, 2026.
- Swiss National Bank. Design Competition for the Tenth Banknote Series. Included within the official presentation “Development of New Banknote Series,” detailing the competition structure, public survey process, advisory board evaluation, and exhibition timeline. Zurich: Swiss National Bank, 2026.
- Swiss National Bank. Banknotes and Coins. Zurich: Swiss National Bank. Accessed May 18, 2026.
Swiss National Bank – Banknotes and Coins - Swiss National Bank. Current Banknote Series. Zurich: Swiss National Bank. Accessed May 18, 2026.
Swiss National Bank – Current Banknote Series -
Numismatic News. “What’s New in Bank Notes: May 2026.” Published 2026. Accessed May 18, 2026.
Numismatic News – What’s New in Bank Notes: May 2026