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

For most of us, bank notes are simply a means of buying the goods and services we need to get through life. For others, however, the style and composition of bank notes is a serious matter.

There's even a global organisation, the International Bank Note Society, dedicated to cataloging and critiquing the world's notes.

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.