Banknotes of Turkey Past Present and Future

Let's take a look at the banknotes of Turkey, past, present, and future. The Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey, also known as the Turkish Central Bank, has been issuing banknotes since 1927.

The first banknote issued by the Turkish Central Bank was the 10 lira note, featuring the portrait of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey. This note was a significant milestone in Turkey's monetary history.

Banknotes have undergone significant design changes over the years, with the introduction of new security features and advanced printing technologies. The current series of banknotes, introduced in 2019, features a range of denominations from 5 to 200 lira.

The Turkish Central Bank continues to innovate, introducing new banknotes with enhanced security features to combat counterfeiting.

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The First Issue of banknotes in Turkey was a significant milestone, and it's fascinating to learn about the details of these early notes. The first issue, known as the "E1" banknotes, was introduced on 5 December 1927.

The 1 TL banknote, for example, featured a ploughing farmer on the obverse side, while the reverse side showed the House of Parliament and the Citadel of Ankara. The note measured 166 × 90 mm and had an olive green main colour.

The first issue of banknotes was a significant step for Turkey's financial system, and it paved the way for the introduction of new denominations and designs over the years. The 500 TL banknote, introduced on 15 June 1939, featured a unique combination of brown and yellow colours on its main design.

Here's a brief summary of the first issue banknotes:

Issue E1 was a significant milestone in the history of banknotes, introducing a new series of currency that would become an essential part of everyday life in Turkey.

The first issue of E1 banknotes was released on 5 December 1927, featuring a design that would set the tone for future issues.

Each banknote had a unique value, ranging from 1 to 1,000 Turkish Lira (TL), with distinct dimensions, main colors, and descriptions.

Here's a breakdown of the key characteristics of each banknote:

The banknotes were designed to be visually striking, with unique images and colors that reflected the country's rich history and culture.

The first issue of E1 banknotes was a significant step forward in the development of Turkey's currency, setting the stage for future innovations and improvements.

The Second Issue (E2) of banknotes in Turkey was a significant milestone in the country's history. This issue was introduced in 1937 and featured a range of denominations, from 50 kuruş to 1,000 lira.

The 50 kuruş banknote, for example, measured 125 × 55 mm and had a yellow and light green main colour. It featured an image of the Former Head Office Building of the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey on the obverse side.

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The 1 lira banknote, on the other hand, had a violet main colour and measured 135 × 60 mm. It featured an image of the Bosphorus on the obverse side.

Here's a list of the banknotes from the Second Issue (E2):

The Sixth Issue was a significant milestone in the history of Turkish banknotes. It introduced new designs and security features to prevent counterfeiting.

The Sixth Issue banknotes were introduced in various denominations, including 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1000 Turkish Lira. Each denomination had its unique characteristics, such as different dimensions, main colors, and descriptions.

Here's a brief overview of the denominations:

The Sixth Issue banknotes were issued on various dates, with the 5 TL note being introduced on January 8, 1968, and the 1000 TL note on May 29, 1978.

The Turkish lira's banknotes have some impressive security features that set them apart from other currencies. The paper itself doesn't glow under UV light.

One of the most notable features is the use of Braille dots on the 10 Turkish lira note, which can be felt with your fingertips. This makes it easier for visually impaired individuals to identify the denomination.

The banknotes also have a security thread that glows in blue under UV light. This thread is a clever way to verify the authenticity of the note.

Here's a quick rundown of what you can expect to see under UV light:

One of the most impressive security features of the note is its ability to see through when held up to the light. This is achieved by the perfect combination of front and back elements, which form the denomination of the note.

This feature is a result of the intricate design and printing process used to create the note. The combination of front and back elements is a key component of this feature.

The effect is quite striking, and it's a great way to verify the authenticity of the note.

The 10 Turkish lira note features a security feature for visually impaired users on its obverse side. This feature is located in the upper left corner of the watermark.

Dots using the Braille alphabet are applied by intaglio printing to the note. These dots are different for each denomination.

They can be felt with your fingertips, providing a tactile experience for visually impaired users.

The paper itself does not glow under UV light, which is a common misconception about banknotes.

Fine fibers embedded in the banknote paper are not normally visible to the naked eye, but they glow in blue and red colors when exposed to UV light.

The security thread glows in blue under UV light, providing an additional layer of security.

The denomination numeral "10" and "TL" letters on the Ataturk portrait will appear and glow in red under UV light.

The serial and sequence numbers printed in "red" will glow in "bright and shiny red" under UV light, while those printed in "black" will glow in a "yellowish green".

The share of ₺100 banknotes has seen a substantial decline, dropping from 50% in 2021 to 19% in 2024.

The combined share of the two largest banknotes, ₺200 and ₺100, now constitutes 95% of the total currency in circulation.

In 2017, ₺200 notes comprised 25% of the currency in circulation, showcasing a steady increase over the years.

There are growing calls for the introduction of ₺500 and ₺1,000 banknotes to address ongoing high inflation.

Any decision regarding the introduction of higher denomination banknotes will be determined through technical analyses and will be transparently shared with the public.

Turkey's banknotes are truly one-of-a-kind, with some unique features that set them apart from other countries' currencies.

The Turkish lira features a distinctive security thread that glows pink when held under ultraviolet light, making it difficult to counterfeit.

One of the most interesting aspects is the use of advanced security features, such as holograms and watermarks, to prevent counterfeiting.

These features are designed to be highly visible, even to the naked eye, making it harder for forgers to create convincing fakes.

The Turkish government has taken steps to ensure the security of its currency, including the use of advanced printing techniques and materials.

Some banknotes feature intricate designs and patterns that are both beautiful and secure, showcasing the country's rich cultural heritage.