Sharks, otters, and a man playing rugby: These are the 6 most beautiful banknotes in the world right now

Every year, the IBNS holds a global competition to find the best bank note released in the last 12 months, with surprisingly fierce competition for the coveted title of "Bank Note of the Year"

The results of the 2017 awards were announced on Friday, with the IBNS describing the competition this year as the "closest vote ever," despite over 170 new designs of bank notes being released around the world last year.

Switzerland's new 10 franc note took home the prize, meaning a Swiss note won for a second consecutive year, while a further five notes were classed as runners-up. Take a look at the top notes below.

Runner-up: Norway's 100 Kroner note

The new 100 kroner note (equivalent to roughly $13) celebrates the seafaring heritage of Norway, including an image of the Gokstad ship, the largest preserved viking ship in the country.

Runner-up: Djibouti's 40 Franc note

Djibouti, a tiny nation on the Horn of Africa, has a population of less than one million.

The country's newest bank note, however, is a worldbeater, paying tribute to the country's heritage and wildlife. The front features an image of a whale shark swimming in a coral reef, while the back focuses on Djibouti's shipping industry, a thriving business thanks to the nation's geographically important location on one of the world's busiest shipping routes.

40 Djibouti francs is equivalent to around $0.20.

Runner-up: Fiji's $7 Note

$7 dollar may seem like an odd denomination, and it is, because this note was created by Fijian authorities to mark the first ever Olympic gold medal won by the country, in the sport of Rugby Sevens.

Runner-up: Canada's $10 note

Released to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the creation of the Canadian Confederation, Canada's new $10 features images of some of the country's greatest figures.

That includes Sir George-Étienne Cartier, the "father of Canadian federalism," and Agnes Macphail, the first woman elected to Canadian parliament.

Runner-up: The Royal Bank of Scotland's Scottish £10 note

Scottish money may be legal tender across the whole of the United Kingdom, but Scots get their own bank notes, made from a similar material to the highly sophisticated new English notes released by the Bank of England.

The way Scottish money is printed is unusual, with several banks printing their own notes.

The note nominated as an IBNS runner-up was printed by the Royal Bank of Scotland, and features

Winner: Switzerland's 10 Franc note

For a second consecutive year, Switzerland takes home the crown of the world's best bank note, with its 10 franc note ($10). Last year, note of the year was won by Switzerland's 50 franc note.

The note,

the fourth consecutive hybrid / polymer note to win the coveted IBNS Bank Note of the Year Award."

Sharks, otters, and a man playing rugby: These are the 6 most beautiful banknotes in the world right now

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