Turkish lira

Turkish lira Türk lirası (Turkish)
Gold lira in Ottoman Empire
ISO 4217 Code	TRL
User(s)	Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (recognised only by Turkey) (official); Northern Iraq and Northern Syria (de facto)
Subunit
1/100	kuruş
Symbol	TL
Coins	5000, 10,000, 25,000, 50,000, 100,000, 250,000 lira
Banknotes	250,000, 500,000, 1,000,000, 5,000,000, 10,000,000, 20,000,000 lira
Central bank	Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey
Website	www.tcmb.gov.tr
This infobox shows the latest status before this currency was rendered obsolete.

The lira (Turkish Türk lirası or TL) was the currency of Turkey until 2005. For the present currency of Turkey, see Turkish new lira.

Contents 1 History 2 Coins 3 Banknotes 3.1 6th Emission Group 3.2 7th Emission Group 3.2.1 1980s series 3.2.2 1990-2005 series 3.3 8th Emission group 3.4 9th Emission group 4 See also 5 References 6 External links

History

The lira was introduced in 1844. It replaced the kuruş as the principal unit of currency, with the kuruş continuing to circulate as a subdivision of the lira, with 100 kuruş = 1 lira. The para also continued to be used, with 40 para = 1 kuruş. Until the 1930s, the Arabic script was used on Turkish coins and banknotes, with پاره for para, غروش for kuruş and ليرا for lira (تورك ليراسي for "Turkish lira"). In European languages, the kuruş was known as the piastre, whilst the lira was known as the livre in French.

Between 1844 and 1881, the lira was on a bimetallic standard, with 1 lira = 6.61519 grams pure gold = 99.8292 grams pure silver. In 1881, the gold standard was adopted and continued until 1914. World War I saw Turkey effectively depart from the gold standard with the gold lira being worth about nine lira in paper money by the early 1920s.

After periods pegged to the British pound and the French franc, a peg of 2.8 lira = 1 U.S. dollar was adopted in 1946 and maintained until 1960, when the currency was devalued to 9 lira = 1 dollar. From 1970, a series of hard, then soft pegs to the dollar operated as the value of the lira began to fall.

Chronic inflation from the late 1970s onward saw the Turkish lira sharply depreciate against other major currencies:

• 1966 — 1 U.S. dollar = 9 lira
• 1980 — 1 U.S. dollar = 90 lira
• 1988 — 1 U.S. dollar = 1,300 lira
• 1995 — 1 U.S. dollar = 45,000 lira
• 1996 — 1 U.S. dollar = 107,000 lira
• 2001 — 1 U.S. dollar = 1,650,000 lira
• 2004 — 1 U.S. dollar = 1,350,000 lira
• 2007 — 1 U.S. dollar = 1,260,000 (old) lira = 1.26 new lira
• 2008 — 1 U.S. dollar = 1,200,000 (old) lira = 1.20 new lira

In its last few years the Turkish lira stabilised and even rose against the U.S. dollar and the euro. The Guinness Book of Records ranked the lira as the world's least valuable currency in 1995 and 1996, and again in 1999 through 2004. The lira had slid in value to such an extent that one original gold lira coin could be sold for approximately 120,000,000 lira prior to the 2005 revaluation.

On January 1, 2005, a new currency, the Yeni Türk Lirası (YTL, ISO 4217: TRY), was introduced. The new lira was worth 1,000,000 old lira.

Coins

Between 1844 and 1855, coins were introduced in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 40 para, ½, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 kuruş, ¼, ½, 1, 2½ and 5 lira. The para denominations were struck in copper, the kuruş in silver and the lira in gold. The 1 para was discontinued in 1859, with the higher copper denominations ceasing production between 1863 and 1879. In 1899, billon 5 and 10 para were introduced, followed by nickel 5, 10, 20 and 40 kuruş in 1910. The silver and gold coinages ceased production as a consequence of the First World War.

In 1922 and 1923, a new coinage was introduced consisting of aluminium-bronze 100 para, 5 and 10 kuruş and nickel 25 kuruş. These were the last Turkish coins to bear inscriptions in the Arabic script.

In 1934, silver 100 kuruş coins were struck, followed the next year by a new coinage consisting of cupro-nickel 1, 5 and 10 kuruş, and silver 25 and 50 kuruş and 1 lira. Aluminium-bronze 10 para coins were issued between 1940 and 1942, the last coins to bear this denomination. Nickel-brass replaced silver in the 25 kuruş in 1944, with brass 1, 2½, 5, 10 and 25 kuruş introduced between 1947 and 1949. The silver 50 kuruş and 1 lira were discontinued in 1948, with cupro-nickel 1 lira issued in 1957.

Between 1958 and 1963, bronze 1, 5 and 10 kuruş and steel 25 kuruş, 1 and 2½ lira were introduced, followed by steel 50 kuruş and 5 lira in 1971 and 1974, respectively. Aluminium replaced bronze in 1975. These coins were issued up to 1980.

In 1981, with inflation gaining pace, aluminium 1, 5 and 10 lira coins were introduced. Higher denominations followed: 20, 50 and 100 lira in 1984, 25 lira in 1985, 500 lira in 1988, 1000 lira in 1990, 2500 lira in 1991, 5000 lira in 1992, 10,000 lira in 1994, 25,000 lira in 1995, 50,000 and 100,000 lira in 1999, and 250,000 lira in 2002.

Turkish Lira coins after 2009
Image		Value	Technical parameters				Description			Date of
Obverse	Reverse		Diameter	Thickness	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse	first minting	issue
		1 kuruş	16.5 mm	1.35 mm	2.2 g	70% copper 30% zinc	Plain	Value, motif, year of minting	"TÜRKİYE CUMHURİYETİ", Kemal Atatürk	2008	1 January 2009
		5 kuruş	17.5 mm	1.65 mm	2.9 g	65% copper 18% nickel 17% zinc	Plain	Value, motif, year of minting	"TÜRKİYE CUMHURİYETİ", Kemal Atatürk	2008	1 January 2009
		10 kuruş	18.5 mm	1.65 mm	3.15 g	65% copper 18% nickel 17% zinc	Plain	Value, motif, year of minting	"TÜRKİYE CUMHURİYETİ", Kemal Atatürk	2008	1 January 2009
		25 kuruş	20.5 mm	1.65 mm	4 g	65% copper 18% nickel 17% zinc	Reeded	Value, motif, year of minting	"TÜRKİYE CUMHURİYETİ", Kemal Atatürk	2008	1 January 2009
		50 kuruş	23.85 mm	1.9 mm	6.8 g	Outer ring: 65% copper 18% nickel 17% zinc Inner part: 79 % copper 4% nickel 17% zinc	Reeded	Value, Istanbul, suspension bridge, year of minting	"TÜRKİYE CUMHURİYETİ", Kemal Atatürk	2008	1 January 2009
		1 lira	26.15 mm	1.9 mm	8.2 g	Outer ring: 79% copper 4% nickel 17% zinc Inner part: 65% copper 18% nickel 17% zinc	T.C. letters and tulip figure	Value, motif, year of minting	"TÜRKİYE CUMHURİYETİ", Kemal Atatürk	2008	1 January 2009
These images are to scale at 2.5 pixels per millimetre, a Wikipedia standard for world coins. For table standards, see the coin specification table.

Banknotes

The Banque Imperiale Ottomane (Imperial Ottoman Bank) first issued paper currency Kaime in 1862, in the denomination of 200 kuruş. The notes bore texts in Turkish and French. Notes for 1, 2 and 5 lira were introduced in 1873. In 1876, smaller denomination notes were introduced for 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 kuruş. In 1908, 50 and 100 lira notes were introduced.

From 1912, the Ministry of Finance issued paper money. Initially, notes were produced in denominations of 5 and 20 kuruş, ¼, ½, 1 and 5 lira, followed the next year by 1 and 2½ kuruş, 2½, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 500 lira. 1000 lira notes were introduced in 1914. In 1917, postage stamp money was issued in the form of 5 and 10 para stamps affixed to card.

In 1926, the Ministry of Finance introduced notes for the Republic of Turkey in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 lira. These were the last notes printed with both French and Turkish (in the Arabic script) texts on them. Each note carried the portrait of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

Between 1937 and 1939, the Central Bank of Turkey introduced new notes with Turkish texts in the Latin alphabet, bearing the portrait of President İsmet İnönü. İnönü notes caused disputes at the time. Denominations of 2½, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 lira were issued. 1 lira notes were reintroduced in 1942, followed by 50 kuruş notes which weren't released in the country due to World War II in 1944. These two lowest denominations were replaced by coins after the War.

Atatürk reappeared on a subsequent series of notes in the early 1950s. The 2½ lira notes were replaced by coins in 1960, with the same happening to the 5 and 10 lira notes in 1974 and 1981. Higher denomination notes were introduced during the 1980s and 90s: 5000 lira in 1981, 10,000 lira in 1982, 20,000 lira in 1988, 50,000 lira in 1989, 100,000 lira in 1991, 250,000 lira in 1992, 500,000 lira in 1993, 1,000,000 lira in 1995, 5,000,000 lira in 1997, 10,000,000 lira in 1999 and 20,000,000 lira in 2001. The higher values of the "E7 Emission Group" banknotes (1992 250,000 TL and later and higher value notes) are exchangeable for new liras at a rate of 1,000,000 lira to 1 new lira at branches of the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey until 31 December 2015, after which time they will have no value.^[1] The 50,000 lira note ceases to be redeemable on 4 November 2009, and the 100,000 lira note on 4 November 2011.^[2]

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6th Emission Group

Banknotes of Emission 6 (1970's)
Image		Value	Dimensions	Main Colour	Description
Obverse	Reverse				Obverse	Reverse
		5 Lira	135 × 60 mm	Purple	Kemal Atatürk	Manavgat Waterfall, Antalya
		10 Lira	140 × 65 mm	Olive Green	Kemal Atatürk	Maiden's Tower, İstanbul
		20 Lira	143 × 66 mm	Red, Brown	Kemal Atatürk	Anıtkabir, Ankara
		50 Lira	160 × 71 mm	Brown	Kemal Atatürk	A fountain in Topkapı Palace, İstanbul
		100 Lira	170 × 77 mm	Green, Brown	Kemal Atatürk	Mount Ararat
		500 lira	170 × 80 mm	Blue, Olive Green	Kemal Atatürk	Istanbul University Entrance
		1000 lira	170 × 82 mm	Violet	Kemal Atatürk	Bosphorus Bridge, İstanbul
These images are to scale at 0.7 pixels per millimetre, a Wikipedia standard for world banknotes. For table standards, see the banknote specification table.

7th Emission Group

1980s series

Banknotes of Emission 7 (1980s)
Image		Value	Dimensions	Main Colour	Description
Obverse	Reverse				Obverse	Reverse
		10 Lira	122 × 55 mm	Pink, Olive Green	Kemal Atatürk	Meeting of him with elementary students.
		100 Lira	131 × 61 mm	Red, Brown	Kemal Atatürk	Mehmet Akif Ersoy with National anthem of Turkey and his birthplace
		500 Lira	140 × 72 mm	Blue	Kemal Atatürk	Clock Tower of İzmir
		1 000 Lira	140 × 72 mm	Violet	Kemal Atatürk	Fatih Sultan Mehmed with Old Istanbul skyline
		5 000 Lira	1st version: 140 × 72 mm Later versions: 146 × 72 mm	1st version: Brown, orange and blue Later: Green, Brown	Kemal Atatürk	1st version: Mevlana Mausoleum, Konya 2nd and 3rd version: Same place with Mevlana 4th version: Thermal power station of Afşin - Elbistan
		10 000 lira	146 × 72 mm	Purple, Green	Kemal Atatürk	Sinan the Architect with Süleymaniye Mosque, İstanbul
		20 000 lira	152 × 76 mm	Red, Violet	Kemal Atatürk	Main Building of Central Bank of Turkey, Ankara
		50 000 lira	152 × 76 mm	Green	Kemal Atatürk	Turkish Grand National Assembly, Ankara
These images are to scale at 0.7 pixels per millimetre, a Wikipedia standard for world banknotes. For table standards, see the banknote specification table.

1990-2005 series

The notes got security features. Last versions of 100 000 TL, 250 000 TL, 500 000 TL and 1 000 000 TL lost color-changing ink due to inflation.

Banknotes of Emission 8 (1990–2005)
Image		Value	Dimensions	Main Colour	Description
Obverse	Reverse				Obverse	Reverse
		100 000 lira	158 × 76 mm	Brown Green	Kemal Atatürk	Meeting of him with elementary students.
		250 000 lira	158 × 76 mm	Blue	Kemal Atatürk	Red Tower, Alanya
		500 000 lira	160 × 76 mm	Purple, Violet	Kemal Atatürk	Battle of Gallipoli Memorial, Çanakkale
		1 000 000 lira	160 × 76 mm	Claret Red, Blue	Kemal Atatürk	Atatürk Dam (as a part of Southeastern Anatolia Project)
		5 000 000 lira	162 × 76 mm	Pastel yellow and greenish brown	Kemal Atatürk	Anıtkabir, Ankara
		10 000 000 lira	162 × 76 mm	Red	Kemal Atatürk with Flag of Turkey silhouette	Piri Reis Map
		20 000 000 lira	162 × 76 mm	Green	Kemal Atatürk	Ruins of Ephesus
These images are to scale at 0.7 pixels per millimetre, a Wikipedia standard for world banknotes. For table standards, see the banknote specification table.

8th Emission group

Main article: New Turkish Lira

9th Emission group

Banknotes of Emission 9
Image		Value	Dimensions	Main colours	Description
Obverse	Reverse				Obverse	Reverse
		5 lira	64 × 130 mm	Brown	Kemal Atatürk	Aydın Sayılı, diagrams of solar system, atom, DNA and ancient cave
		10 lira	64 × 136 mm	Red	Kemal Atatürk	Cahit Arf, Arf invariant, Aritmetic series, abacus, binary
		20 lira	68 × 142 mm	Green	Kemal Atatürk	Mimar Kemaleddin, line drawing of Gazi University rectory building, aquaduct, circular motif and cube-globe-cylinder symbolizing architecture
		50 lira	64 × 148 mm	Orange	Kemal Atatürk	Fatma Aliye, flower and literary figures
		100 lira	72 × 154 mm	Blue	Kemal Atatürk	Buhurizade Itri, notes, instruments and Mevlevi figure
		200 lira	72 × 160 mm	Purple	Kemal Atatürk	Yunus Emre, Yunus' mausoleum, rose, pigeon and the line "Sevelim, sevilelim" (Let us love, let us be loved)
These images are to scale at 0.7 pixels per millimetre, a Wikipedia standard for world banknotes. For table standards, see the banknote specification table.

See also

• Economy of Turkey
• Economy of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

References

External links

• Articles about Ottoman Turkish currency (in Turkish)
• Turkish Central Bank (Banknote Museum page)
• Ottoman Empire coins
• Republic of Turkey coins and banknotes