F is for

[Swiss] Francs

G left yesterday for Switzerland and before he left he tossed some currency on the bed to show me. I was IMMEDIATELY inspired and said to him, “Do you know if there are any words that mean money and start with F?” He laughed and said, “Uh, Francs?” I was overjoyed! I had my F! (Have I mentioned how much I LOVE this ABC-a-long?) I had about an hour before he left for the airport so I set to work.

This is the 8th Series of Swiss Franc banknotes and they have no less than 9 safety features to guard against counterfeiting. They were designed around the theme of the arts: The 10 Franc Note is Le Corbusier; the 20 Franc Note is Arthur Honegger; and the 50 Franc Note is Sophie Taeuber-Arp. I’m embarrassed to say that I was so taken with the faces on the bills, so overwhelmed by the beauty of the colors, I never turned the banknotes over to see the backs. Isn’t that ridiculous? I only realized my faux-pas when I clicked on the banknotes here – the site flips them over for you. I encourage you to click on the photographs above – they will take you to a larger than usual version of the picture. I tried to get very close – they reminded me so much of Chuck Close‘s work.

I hope you enjoy the photographs. Thanks for stopping.

Comments

  1. Beautiful! Thanks for inspiring (again) this want-a-be photographer!!

  2. Beautiful F. I have never seen a Franc but as I scrolled through the pictures I knew that had to be what your F was. You did a fabulous job of showing off thier beauty. I wish American money came in colors for different denominations. Have a safe trip and stay in touch;-)

  3. More fabulous photographs from Cara! You really inspire me.

  4. Great photos, as always! I want to take pictures like you when I grow up–you’re my idol!

  5. Fabulous Franc Fotos! I love how the bills are different sizes — as their value grows, so does their length!

  6. The photos are truly beautiful, Cara! I’ll bet you had a great time doing the shoot. 🙂

  7. I absolutely love these photos.

  8. Cara, your photography is gorgeous! You are such an artist!
    Okay, I’m having a dense week — you know, where your mind won’t work even on the most obvious. (Example: ask Margene if I can figure out what her “G” photos will be? Not! And I live in Utah!)
    Anyway, when I first looked over your beautiful “F” work, and knowing you were a photographer, I thought “f”ilters! Yeah, well, wrong again!

  9. WOW! I can’t figure out which is cooler: the photos of the beautiful francs, or the fact that I just saw some of Sophie Taeuber’s amazing work yesterday at the National Gallery – what a coincidence! 🙂

  10. I LOVE these!

  11. Wow! Those are beautiful! I did the JenLa meme after I saw yours…you’ll have to check out my answers! 😉

  12. Awesome photos! You did a great job photographing them and the colors are remarkable.

  13. Fabulous fotos!

  14. Wow that is some fabulous looking money!
    Great photography as usual!!!

  15. Damn! Somebody’s going to CH and I didn’t know about it? Damn! I need stuff!!! I’ve had two SFr 20 bills in my wallet for a year and a half, waiting to get to use them. You’re breaking my heart here with these pics. Damn. I needed stuff!
    😉

  16. What a great idea. If only I had some money to play with. 😉

  17. Knitting and beautiful photos! What more could I want from a blog. Sigh.

  18. I love Chuck Close. I saw one self-portrait of him at a museum and stood like a statue in front of it for the rest of the trip. I’ve been a fan ever since.
    Yeah, it was this one.

  19. I love those pix. Would it surprise you to know that I keep a 10 franc note on my desk?
    🙂

  20. Great pictures! Such colourful money should surely make it even more fun to earn more and brightens up the fact that you have to spend it. Or am I wrong?

  21. Terrific “F” Why can’t America have beautiful currency?