Between the years 1911 and 1942 the National Bank of Switzerland created only individual notes including the 20 franc note "Vreneli".

It was feared that the 20 franc gold coin would be hoarded during the war, so this saved them from using the gold for coins.

The note was illustrated with the well known portrait of Francoise Engli from the gold coin. The coin later earned the nickname "Vreneli" .