Guide to Detecting Counterfeit Swiss Franc (CHF) Banknotes

How to Identify Counterfeit Swiss Franc (SFr.) Currency Notes

If you’re planning a trip to Switzerland, here’s a small but important tip: keep an eye on your Swiss franc notes. It’s not common, but there’s a chance you might end up with fake CHF notes if you exchange your INR at less-than-reliable places. Here’s a quick guide to help you spot the real CHF notes, so your Swiss adventure stays stress-free.

Key Security Features of the 9th Swiss Franc Series

Swiss banknotes are among the world's most secure currencies. The Swiss National Bank (SNB) introduced the 9th banknote series in 2016, themed "The many facets of Switzerland." This series features abstract designs and cutting-edge security elements, such as:

Watermarks:

Each banknote features a dual watermark displaying the Swiss flag and a globe when held up to the light.

Shimmering Globe:

The central globe shows dynamic visual effects; the colour of the arc and the imagery change with each denomination.

Security Strip:

A metallic security strip runs vertically across the note, showcasing unique denomination-specific imagery, such as maps, objects, and lists that relate to the note’s theme.

Triangle Test (Glittering Security Thread):

A triangle-shaped window reveals a glittering security thread with the Swiss flag and the denomination numeral, which varies for each note.

Transparent Swiss Cross (Cross Test):

A transparent window in the shape of the Swiss cross aligns perfectly with the printed design when held to the light.

Raised Intaglio Print:

Raised print on areas such as the denomination, text, or hand graphic can be felt by touch.

Latent Image (Tilt Effect):

Tilting the note at certain angles reveals a hidden cross that appears and disappears based on the viewing angle.

Micro-text:

Within the Swiss cross design, micro-text printed in multiple languages becomes visible under magnification.

UV and Infrared Features:

Under UV light, certain elements such as fibres and the globe become visible, while under infrared scanning, special inks are revealed for authentication.

Tactile Elements for the Visually Impaired:

Along the edges of each note, groups of raised lines vary in number according to the denomination, aiding recognition by touch.

A Detailed Guide to Identifying Counterfeit Swiss Franc Currency by Denomination

Denomination	Watermark(s)	Shimmering Globe	Security Strip	Glittering Security Thread	Latent Image	Micro-text	Tactile Lines
10 CHF	Swiss flag + globe with time zones	Violet arc, Pacific Ocean & time theme	Rail network & tunnels, map with rivers	Triangle window, flag + 10	Swiss cross in hand graphic	Inside Swiss cross, multilingual	4 blocks
20 CHF	Swiss flag + globe centred on the Pacific	Violet arc, constellations & light theme	Map + light emissions + light-second distances	Triangle window, flag + 20	Cross or patterns in prism design	Inside cross or other elements	5 blocks
50 CHF	Swiss flag + globe showing Africa & Americas	Golden arc, wind-flow arrows & wind theme	Alps with peak names	Triangle window, flag + 50	Cross in hand design	Cross & area text with peak names	3 blocks
100 CHF	Swiss flag + globe centred over Europe & Africa	Violet arc, isobars & water theme	Waterways, longest rivers	Triangle window, flag + 100	Cross appears when tilted	Cross & nearby areas, multilingual	4 blocks
200 CHF	Swiss flag + globe with Cretaceous landmasses	Violet arc, ancient landmasses & matter theme	Geological map + universe timeline	Triangle window, flag + 200	Cross or scientific imagery	Cross & geological areas	6 blocks
1000 CHF	Swiss flag + globe with phonetic symbols	Violet arc, phonetic symbols & language theme	Language regions + list of cantons	Triangle window, flag + 1000	Cross in handshake or design	Cross & globe design, multilingual	6 blocks

1. 10 Franc Note

Watermark: The note features a dual watermark showing the Swiss flag and a globe marked with time zones, visible when held up to light.
Shimmering Globe: The central globe displays a violet arc that moves when the note is tilted left or right and changes colour when tilted backwards. The globe shows the Pacific Ocean around the International Date Line, representing the concept of time.
Security Strip: A vertical metallic strip features the Swiss rail network and its longest tunnels. Tilting reveals moving numbers in red and green, and when held to the light, it displays a map of Switzerland, major rivers, and small crosses inside the number 10.
Triangle Test (Glittering Security Thread): A triangular window on the back of the note reveals a glittering thread that contains repeating patterns of the Swiss flag and the number 10.
Transparent Swiss Cross (Cross Test): A transparent window in the shape of the Swiss cross appears at the top left. When viewed against light, it completes into a full Swiss flag with the surrounding print.
Raised Intaglio Print: The conductor’s hand, the number 10, and the name of the bank are printed with raised ink. These elements can be felt by touch.
Latent Image (Tilt Effect): When the note is tilted at specific angles, a hidden Swiss cross becomes visible within the hand graphic.
Micro-text: Tiny multilingual text is printed inside the Swiss cross design and can be read under magnification.
UV and Infrared Features: Under UV light, the globe and coloured fibres become visible. Under infrared light, certain printed elements appear or disappear for authentication.
Tactile Elements for the Visually Impaired: Four blocks of raised lines are embossed along the long edges of the note, allowing visually impaired users to identify the denomination by touch.

2. 20 Franc Note

Watermark: The note features a dual watermark showing the Swiss flag and a globe centred on the Pacific, forming a clear image when held up to light.
Shimmering Globe: The globe displays a violet arc that moves when tilted from side to side, with colour shifts occurring when tilted backwards. The globe’s design includes constellations and light-related imagery aligned with the note’s theme of creativity.
Security Strip: A vertical metallic strip shows a map of Switzerland overlaid with night-time light emissions and listed distances in light‑seconds between Earth and celestial bodies. Tilting reveals red and green moving numbers, rainbow outlines, and tiny crosses inside the number 20.
Triangle Test (Glittering Security Thread): A triangle-shaped window on the reverse exposes a glittering thread. Held to light, the thread displays a continuous line featuring the Swiss flag and the number 20.
Transparent Swiss Cross (Cross Test): A transparent Swiss cross window creates a complete Swiss flag when held against light and aligned with print.
Raised Intaglio Print: Raised printing on the hand holding a prism, the numeral 20, and the bank’s name can be felt by touch
Latent Image (Tilt Effect): Tilting the note reveals a hidden Swiss cross or other light-related patterns embedded within the hand or prism design.
Micro-text: Tiny multilingual text is printed within the cross or other design elements and becomes visible under magnification.
UV and Infrared Features: Under UV light, the globe, colored fibres, and other elements glow. Under infrared light, certain inks and patterns appear or disappear, aiding authentication.
Tactile Elements for the Visually Impaired: Five blocks of raised lines are embossed along the long edges of the note, helping visually impaired individuals identify the 20-franc denomination by touch.

3. 50 Franc Note

Watermark: The note includes a dual watermark featuring the Swiss flag and a globe highlighting Africa and the Americas, visible when held up to the light.
Shimmering Globe: The central globe displays a golden arc that moves side to side when tilted, and shifts from copper to green when tilted backwards. The globe is overlaid with wind‑flow arrows symbolising Switzerland’s theme of wind and travel.
Security Strip: A vertical metallic strip shows the Alps with names of the main four‑thousand‑metre peaks. Tilting the strip reveals moving red and green numbers, a rainbow outline of Switzerland, and tiny crosses embedded within the number 50.
Triangle Test (Glittering Security Thread): A triangle‑shaped window on the back reveals a glittering thread that continues across, displaying repeating Swiss flags and the numeral 50.
Transparent Swiss Cross (Cross Test): A transparent cross‑shaped window aligns with printed elements to form a full Swiss flag when held up to light.
Raised Intaglio Print: Raised ink can be felt on the hand holding the dandelion, the numeral 50, and the bank’s name.
Latent Image (Tilt Effect): Tilting the note reveals a hidden Swiss cross embedded in the hand design, visible only at certain angles.
Micro‑text: Tiny multilingual text forms part of the cross and the surrounding areas. It includes the names of all Swiss four‑thousand‑metre peaks and is readable under magnification.
RUV and Infrared Features: Under UV light, the globe and embedded coloured fibres glow. Under infrared light, some printed elements may change appearance.
Tactile Elements for the Visually Impaired: Three blocks of raised lines are embossed along each long edge, enabling tactile identification of the 50‑franc denomination.

4. 100 Franc Note

Watermark: The dual watermark shows the Swiss flag on the left and a globe centred over Europe and Africa on the right, visible when held up to light.
Shimmering Globe: Tilt the note left to right to see a violet arc glide across the globe; tilt it backwards to watch the globe’s color shift from copper to green. The globe is decorated with isobars and contour lines in line with the theme of water.
Security Strip: A vertical metallic strip in the lower half reveals moving red and green numbers when tilted. Held to light, it shows a silver map of Switzerland, its waterways, a list of the country’s longest rivers, and small crosses inside the number 100; tilting backwards adds a rainbow outline of Switzerland.
Triangle Test (Glittering Security Thread): A triangular window flush with the back displays a glittering security thread that continues across the note, repeating the Swiss flag and the number 100.
Transparent Swiss Cross (Cross Test): A clear, cross-shaped window in the top-left aligns with printed elements to form a complete Swiss flag when backlit.
Raised Intaglio Print: The hands scooping water, the number 100, and the bank’s name feature raised ink that one can feel on touch.
Latent Image (Tilt Effect): Tilt the note backwards to reveal a hidden Swiss cross that appears from certain angles.
Micro-text: Tiny text in Switzerland's four official languages is printed within the Swiss cross and surrounding areas; it becomes readable under magnification.
UV and Infrared Features: Under UV light, a hidden globe near the top right and coloured fibres throughout the note glow. Under infrared light, some elements vanish or change tone.
Tactile Elements for the Visually Impaired: Four blocks of short, raised lines are present along each long edge, enabling tactile identification of the 100‑franc note.

5. 200 Franc Note

Watermark: The note features a dual watermark with the Swiss flag and a globe showing Earth’s landmasses during the late Cretaceous period, visible when held up to light.
Shimmering Globe: The central globe reveals a violet arc that moves when tilted side to side and shifts colour when tilted backwards. It depicts ancient landmasses aligned with the “matter” theme.
Security Strip: A vertical metallic strip shows an abstract map of Switzerland’s geological ages and includes a timeline marking stages in the formation of the universe. Tilting reveals red and green moving numbers, a rainbow outline of Switzerland, and small crosses inside the number 200.
Triangle Test (Glittering Security Thread): A triangular window on the reverse reveals a security thread displaying repeating patterns of the Swiss flag and the numeral 200 when viewed against light.
Transparent Swiss Cross (Cross Test): A transparent Swiss cross window aligns with printed design to form a complete Swiss flag when held to light.
Raised Intaglio Print: Raised ink on the hand pointing to coordinate axes, the numeral 200, and the bank’s name can be felt.
Latent Image (Tilt Effect): Tilting the note reveals a hidden Swiss cross or related pattern embedded within the hand or scientific imagery.
Micro-text: Tiny multilingual text is printed in and around the cross design and geological imagery; readable only under magnification.
UV and Infrared Features: Under UV light, the globe and embedded fibres become visible. Under infrared light, certain printed elements appear or disappear for authentication.
Tactile Elements for the Visually Impaired: Six blocks of short, raised lines are embossed along the long edges of the note, helping visually impaired individuals identify the 200-franc denomination by touch.

6. 1000 Franc Note

Watermark: A dual watermark displays the Swiss flag on the left and a globe featuring phonetic symbols on the right, both visible when the note is held up to light.
Shimmering Globe: The central globe shows a violet arc that moves when the note is tilted side to side and changes colour when tilted backwards. The globe is overlaid with symbols from the International Phonetic Alphabet, representing the theme of language.
Security Strip: A vertical metallic strip displays a map of Switzerland’s language regions and includes the names of all Swiss cantons. Tilting the strip reveals red and green moving numbers, a rainbow outline of the country, and tiny crosses inside the number 1000.
Triangle Test (Glittering Security Thread): A triangle-shaped window on the back reveals a glittering security thread that runs across the note, repeating the Swiss flag and the number 1000.
Transparent Swiss Cross (Cross Test): A transparent cross-shaped window aligns with printed elements to form a complete Swiss flag when viewed against light.
Raised Intaglio Print: The handshake motif, the number 1000, and the bank’s name are printed with raised ink that can be felt by touch.
Latent Image (Tilt Effect): Tilting the note reveals a hidden Swiss cross embedded within the handshake or nearby design elements, visible only from certain angles.
Micro-text: Tiny multilingual text is printed within and around the design, especially near the cross and phonetic globe, and becomes visible under magnification.
UV and Infrared Features: Under UV light, the globe and embedded fibres across the note glow. Under infrared light, certain elements disappear or appear for authentication purposes.
Tactile Elements for the Visually Impaired: Six blocks of raised lines are embossed along the long edges of the note, enabling visually impaired individuals to identify the 1,000-franc denomination by touch.

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