Category: Artists

artists whose designs are applied (or intended for) the Turkish money

Artists whose designs were used on Turkish currency

We compiled the list of artists who created the designs of the coins and banknotes of Republic of Türkiye.

Most of the coins were produced by artists employed by the Mint, and most of the banknotes by the engravers of the Central Bank’s Banknote Print, yet in the early periods of the Republic, foreign experts were consulted and the works of artists participating in occasional competitions have also taken place on commemorative and circulation coins.

Artists whose designs were used on Turkish currency:

(dates in brackets indicate the year which the artist’s first design was released into circulation.)

Artists who were awarded degrees in competitions, but whose designs were not used on coins:

Artists whose artwork is used on currency indirectly:

*designers of some of the coins and most of the banknotes are missing from the list. It will be updated as new information surfaces.

cover photo: 2018 annual report of the Turkish State Mint

Furkan Payas

Furkan Payas

He is the designer of the obverse of the commemorative coin themed “600th Anniversary of Turkish-Polish Diplomatic Relations”.

The designs were selected through a competition; Furkan Payas’s design was chosen for the obverse, and Özgür Soyyılmaz‘s for the reverse.

Both sides of the coin feature symbols of Poland and Türkiye. The obverse depicts tulips in the foreground, with a composition of the Mermaid of Warsaw (Warszawska Syrenka) holding a sword and shield against a backdrop of a horse, a bow & arrow.

This commemorative coin, minted by the Turkish Mint, is sold as a set with another commemorative coin produced by the Central Bank of Poland.

 

Diplomatic relations between Poland and Türkiye began in 1414 when King Ladislas Jagiello of Poland sent two envoys to Sultan Mehmed I. The Ottoman Empire is remembered favorably in Polish history for not recognizing the partition of Poland in the late 18th century by Prussia, the Habsburg (Austrian) Empire, and the Russian Empire. The Polish Central Bank’s currency features the royal seal of Ladislas Jagiello and the Tughra (Ottoman imperial seal). Their press release also highlight the milestones of historical friendship.

Polonya – Türkiye hatıra para desen taslağı (Varşova Sireni)

Furkan Payas graduated from Selçuk University, Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Sculpture in 2013.

He completed his Master’s degree in Sculpture at HBV University in 2019. Combining his academic sculpture education with contemporary digital sculpture practices, he reflects Pastiche, Parody, and Irony in his works.

 

 

 

 

 

He continues his artistic work at ARTEA SANAT Monumental Sculpture and Design workshop, of which he is a founding member. His sculptures, which he models digitally with ZBrush and then produces by casting in bronze or aluminum, can be seen on his Instagram page: instagram.com/furkanpayas

(We extend our deepest gratitude to the artist for their kindness in sharing images of their personal work.)

* Click here for other artists who designed Turkish coins from the Republican era.

Nazan Tanyu

Nazan Tanyu is the engraver who produced the portraits on the E9 Ninth Emission 20 and 50 Lira banknotes in use today (*1).

The portrait of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk on the E9 20 and 50 Lira banknotes is produced using the photograph taken by Cemal Işıksel.

The portrait of Architect Kemaleddin depicted on the back of the 20 Lira banknote, and that of Novelist Fatma Aliye depicted on the reverse of the 50 Lira banknotes are also her handiwork.

 

 

[1] Central Bank of Türkiye (TCMB) Bulletin LİRA, 2012 #64, , The article titled “Banknotes and Gravure“.

İlknur Ateş

İlknur Ateş is the artist who produced the portrait engravings on the 5 and 10 Lira banknotes of the ninth emission which are currently in circulation (*1).

The engravings of the Mustafa Kemal Atatürk portrait on the E9 5 and 10 Lira banknotes (which are produced using the photograph taken by Etem Tem (*2)), the portrait of distinguished professor Aydın Sayılı on the 5 Lira banknote, and the portrait of distinguished professor Cahit Arf on the back of the 10 Lira banknotes are her handiwork.

[1] TCMB; Central Bank of Türkiye Bulletin LİRA, 2012 #64, , The article titled “Banknotes and Gravure“

[2] Central Bank of Türkiye, Turkish Lira Banknotes and Coins Introduction Meeting Notes (in Turkish).

Alptekin Bayram

1 Kuruş 2009

Alptekin Bayram is the designer of the 1 Kuruş coin with a snowdrop (Galanthus) design, issued in 2009.

He graduated from Gazi Institute for Education, Department of Art Education in 1986. He has been working as a banknote designer at the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey since 1988.

In 2009, he participated in the competition for the new coins to be issued with a flower-themed set consisting of snowdrop, iridescent (Centaurea tchihatcheffii), rose, tulip, carnation, and violet designs. The snowdrop design was deemed suitable for the 1 Kuruş coin.

 

Quoting the Turkish Mint’s announcement regarding the 1 Kuruş coin: “Inspired by the snowdrop flower, with its pristine white, drooping posture during the coldest times of winter, Alptekin Bayram designed this coin to draw attention to Türkiye’s natural beauty, and to warn the public about the harm caused either by human hands or by natural and global factors.”

Coin designs of the 2009 set were decided as a result of a competition. Aslı Kaya‘s design was used on the 5 kuruş coins, while Barış Kara‘s designs were used on the 10, 25 kuruş, and 1 lira coins.

(The design for the 50 kuruş coin is by Nesrin Ekşi, an artist from the Mint.)

Tekin Gülbasar

Tekin Gülbasar was born in 1978 in Zile, Tokat. He graduated Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, Faculkty of Fine Arts, Sculpture Programme in 2006 and started working at the State Mint the same year.

Coins he has designed:

  • 2016 15 Temmuz Şehitleri ve Gazileri Anısına
  • 2016 Büyük Türk Devletleri Serisi
    • Büyük Hun İmparatorluğu
    • Batı Hun İmparatorluğu
    • Avrupa Hun İmparatorluğu
    • Ak Hun İmparatorluğu
    • Göktürk İmparatorluğu
    • Avar İmparatorluğu
    • Hazar İmparatorluğu
    • Uygur Devleti
    • Karahanlılar
    • Gazneliler
    • Büyük Selçuklu İmparatorluğu
    • Harzemşahlılar
    • Altınordu Devleti
    • Büyük Timur İmparatorluğu
    • Babür İmparatorluğu
    • Osmanlı İmparatorluğu
  • 2016 İyonlar (Anadolu Medeniyetleri Serisi No: 6)
  • 2016 Uğur Böceği (Türkiye’de görülen hayvan türleri serisi)
  • 2016 Türk Keleri (Türkiye’de görülen hayvan türleri serisi)
  • 2016 Dünya İnsani Zirvesi İstanbul
  • 2016 Nasreddin Hoca “Göle Maya Çalmak” (Masal Kahramanları Serisi No: 2)
  • 2016 Beçin Kalesi – Ahmed Gazi Medresesi (Antik Kentler Serisi No: 10)
  • 2016 İlk Türk Amirali Çaka Bey (Gemiler ve Kaşifler Serisi No: 7)
  • 2017 Assos – Athena Tapınağı (Antik Kentler Serisi No: 11)
  • 2017 Nasreddin Hoca “Ye Kürküm Ye” (Masal Kahramanları Serisi No: 3)
  • 2017 Cam Kelebeği (Türkiye’de görülen hayvan türleri serisi)
  • 2017 Roma İmparatorluğu Aizanoi Zeus Tapınağı, Çavdarhisar İlk Borsa (Anadolu Medeniyetleri Serisi No: 7)
  • 2017 Umur Bey (Gemiler ve Kaşifler Serisi No: 8)
  • 2017 Datça Deveboynu Feneri (Deniz Fenerleri Serisi No: 7)
  • 2017 Meddah (Geleneksel Türk Tiyatrosu)
  • 2017 Kavuklu & Pişekar (Geleneksel Türk Tiyatrosu)
  • 2017 Darphane 550. Yıl
  • 2019 Patara Meclis Binası ve Kent Kapısı (Antik Kentler Serisi No: 13)
  • 2019 Doğu Roma İmparatorluğu (Anadolu Medeniyetleri Serisi No: 9)
  • 2019 Azerbaycan Milli Meclisi’nin Kuruluşunun 100. Yılı
  • 2019 Anadolu’ya Özgü Kuşlar Serisi
    • Kaşıkçı (No: 2)
    • İbibik (No: 3)
    • Çöl Koşarı (No: 4)
    • Bayağı Uzunbacak (No: 5)
    • Baştankara (No: 6)
    • Ardıç (No: 8)
  • 2019 Bodrum Feneri (Deniz Fenerleri No: 9)
  • 2019 Göbeklitepe yılı
    • Gümüş ve Bronz
  • 2019 Kılıç Ali Paşa (Gemiler ve Kaşifler Serisi No: 10)
  • 2019 Azerbaycan Dışişleri Bakanlığının Kuruluşunun 100. Yılı
  • 2019 İmameddin Nesimi Doğumunun 650.Yılı
  • 2019 Nasreddin Hoca “Dünyanın ortası burasıdır” (Masal Kahramanları Serisi No: 5)
  • 2020 Osmanlı İmparatorluğu (Anadolu Medeniyetleri Serisi No: 10)
  • 2020 Karabağ Azerbaycandır 50 Manat
  • 2020 Karabağ Azerbaycandır 20 TL
  • 2020 Perge – Helenistik Kapı (Antik Kentler Serisi No: 14)
  • 2020 Yeşilay’ın kuruluşunun 100. yılı
    • Gümüş
    • Bronz
  • 2020 Gastronomi Şehri Afyonkarahisar
    • Altın kaplama
    • Gümüş
    • Bronz
  • 2020 Nasreddin Hoca “Fil Hikayesi” (Masal Kahramanları Serisi No: 6)
  • 2020 Osman Gazi 1258 ~ 1326 (Osmanlı Padişahları No: 1)
  • 2020 Orhan Gazi 1281 ~ 1362 (Osmanlı Padişahları No: 2)
  • 2023 Ayşe Hafsa Valide Sultan Vakfiyesi’nin 500. Yılı (Manisa Sultan Külliyesi Camii)
  • 2023 Deniz Harp Okulu 250. Yıl
  • 2023 Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi 750. Vuslat Yılı
  • 2023 Saltuklular (Anadolu Beylikleri Serisi No: 4)
  • 2024 Ak Hun Devleti (Büyük Türk Devletleri Serisi No:4)
  • 2024  Hungarian-Turkish Culture Year
  • 2024 Galatasaray’s 24th Championship in the Turkish Super League

[1]Obverse of these coins is the handiwork of Hakkı Baha Çavuşgil.

(We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the artist for his invaluable contributions to this page)

Nalan Yerlibucak – Çakır

The artis is born in İzmit and graduated Marmara University Faculty of Fine Arts, Sculpture Programme in 2001.  Started working for the State Mint in 2008 and currently still is designing coins and medals.

Exhibitions and events she took part in:

  • 2008 – Yazlık ‘08 Artisan Art Gallery (İstanbul) 2008 – Young Sculptors Exhibition (İstanbul)
  • 2008 – Marmara University Graduates Exhibition
  • 2007 – Fikret Mualla Painting Studio Muhammet Şengöz students exhibition
  • 2007 – 2nd Young Sculptors Workshop II (Yesemek Bienal at Gaziantep)
  • 2005 – 3rd Art at Akmerkez (İstanbul)
  • 2003 – Nilay Kan Büyükişleyen Sculpture Workshop Exhibition Kaş Art Gallery (İstanbul)
  • 2002 – 63rd State Painting and Sculpture Competition Exhibition (Ankara)
  • 2001 – Water and Mind (Su ve Us) Exhibition (İstanbul)

Awards

2007 – “Kemal Türkler Mosoleum Project Competition” 2nd Place (İstanbul)

Coins that the artist designed for the State Mint:

  • 2001 32nd EuroBasket European Basketball Championship for Men
  • 2001 coins from the “Birds of Turkey” Serie
    • Ala Sığırcık (Sturnus roseus)
    • Kızıl Akbaba (Gyps fulvus)
    • İzmir Yalıçapkını (Halcyon smyrnensis)
    • Küçük Karabatak (Phalacrocorax pygmeus)

 

  • 2002 coins from the “Flowers of  Turkey” Serie
    • Şakayık (Paeonia turcica)
    • Anadolu Orkidesi (Orchis anatolica)
    • Anadolu Glayölü (Gladiolus anatolicus)
    • Allıgelin (Tchihatchewia isatidea)
    • Çakalnergis (Sternbergia candida)
    • Manisa Lalesi (Tulipa orphanidea)

 

  • 2005 Edirne Selimiye Mosque (Cultural Assets Serie No:1)
  • 2005 Mostar Bridge (Cultural Assets No:2)
  • 2005 coins from the “Animals of Turkey” Set
    • Striped Hyena
    • Long-eared Hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus)
  • 2007 Troy – Cultural Heritage of the humankind
  • 2007 Centenary of the Scouts
  • 2007 Kariye / Chora

 

  • 2008 Kaşgarlı Mahmut 1000th birth year

 

  • 2009 Frederic Chopin 200th birth year
  • 2009 Katip Çelebi 400th birth year
  • 2009 1 Lira Elephant
  • 2009 1 Lira Caretta Caretta

 

  • 2010 Istanbul European Capital of Culture
  • 2010 Amasya Houses
  • 2010 Leathersmith (Traditional Turkish Handicrafts)
  • 2010 Ertuğrul Frigate
  • 2010 1 Lira Angora Cat
  • 2010 1 Lira Sivas Kangal Shepard Dog

 

 

  • 2014 1 Lira Byerley Turkish Horse
  • 2014 1 Lira Anatolian Eagle
  • 2014 1 Lira Striped Hyena
  • 2014 Halide Edip Adıvar 50th death anniversary

 

  • 2015 Operation Sarıkamış Centenary
  • 2015 Gallipoli
  • 2015 Hamidiye Cruiser
  • 2015 Nusret Minelayer
  • 2015 Ertuğrul Frigate 125th anniversary
  • 2015 Midilli Cruiser
  • 2015 Muavenet-i Milliye Destroyer
  • 2015 First Nurse Esma Deniz (First Women of the Republic Serie)
  • 2016 Orkhon monuments & inscriptions
  • 2016 Centennary of the Victory of Kut
  • 2016 Dragonfly (part of the serie Animal Species seen in Turkey)
  • 2016 Erzurum Clock Tower
  • 2016 Yesemek Sculpture Workshop
  • 2016 Zonguldak – Rize (Seven Regions – Seven Cities No. 7)
  • 2017 Blue Crab
  • 2017 125th anniversary of the first Museum & Sarcophagus of Alexander
  • 2018 Şeyh Edebali (Those who enlighten Anatolia #3)
  • 2019 Danishmendids & Tzachas (Anatolian Beyliks Serie #1)
  • 2021 Koca Yusuf (Turkish Sportmen Serie #1)
  • 2021 Western Hun Empire
  • 2021 1 Lira Tarsus Çatalburun Turkish Pointer Dog
  • 2021 1 Lira Caracal
  • 2022 Tomb of Gülbaba at Budapest Hungary
  • 2022 Mersin Sturgeon
  • 2023 200 Lira Centenary of the Turkish Republic in gold
  • 2023 100 Lira Centenary of the Turkish Republic in silver
  • 2023 5 Lira Centenary of the Turkish Republic in bronze
  • 2023 Omar Khayyam
  • 2023 Centennary of Ankara becoming the capital of Turkish Republic
  • 2024 Asik Veysel Satiroglu
  • 2024 50th Anniversary of the Cyprus Peace Operation
  • 2024 Süleyman Demirel (Turkish Politicians of the Republican Era No:4)
  • 2024 Centenary of the Directorate of Religious Affairs

 

[1] Designers of some of the commemoratives released by the State Mint, were not announced on the certificates or the newsletters. Engravers of such coins are listed only to the extent that we could identify their designer. The list will be updated with new information.

Michael Otto

Designer of various commemorative coins of several countries, as well as Euro coins.

Together with his father Herwig, Michael Otto produced models for the Turkish Mint part of the cooperation with the MDM firm.

  • 1999 Ships and Explorers Serie #4 “Fethiye” galleon 4.000.000 Lira silver,
  • 1999 Olympic Games of 2000, 3.000.000 Lira silver,
  • 1999 Lacerta Clarorum 4.000.000 Lira silver coin
  • 2000 Euro 2000 Football Cup commemorative

 

Cover photo: www.muenzgravur.de

Personal page: www.instagram.com/otto.gravuren

Sneschana Russewa-Hoyer

Designer of two silver coins of the 1999 yılı Euro Serie. Both of 4.000.000 TL nominal value; Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, and the Bosphorus (Boğaziçi; which was also struck in gold in 2000 with a 50.000.000 TL face value)

Coins were released in accordance with the agreement between the Turkish State Mint and the German MDM firm.

Other coins of the 1999 Euro Serie:

  • Dolmabahce Palace, 3.000.000 TL, 1998
  • Galata Tower, 3.000.000 TL, 1998 Esin Özkul(*1)
  • Saint of Myra; Santa Claus, 1.500.000 TL, 1997 Hakkı Baha Çavuşgil
  • Living Legend Troy, 500.000 TL, 1999 David Cornell
  • Galata Tower (gold), 50.000.000 TL, 2001 Waldemar Wronski
  • Seafront Mansions of the Bosphorus, 10.000.000 TL, 2001 Waldemar Wronski
  • Saint of Myra; Santa Claus,(gold), 10.000.000 TL, 2000 Hakkı Baha Çavuşgil

[1] Golden coin of 2000, bearing the same design is listed as a handiwork of Waldemar Wronski.

The artist was born in Bulgaria in 1953 (in Cyrillic “Снежана Русева – Хойер”), went to East Berlin to study graphic design in the 70’ies and married Heinz Hoyer.

Federal Eagle of Germany designed by Snezhana & Heinz Hoyer (foto: ECB)

They won the design competition of 1997 for the German Euro coins. Their design of the Federal Eagle (Bundesadler) is used on the 1 and 2 Euro coins in circulation since 2002.

They work on designs of stamps, coins and medals.

https://www.muenzenundmedaillen.de/designer

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sneschana_Russewa-Hoyer

cover photo: Wikipedia

David Cornell

David Cornell was born on 1935. He worked at the British Royal Mint.

He designed the golden commemorative coin of 1999, with the theme “Living Legend Troy” and the face value 7.500.000 Lira.

Euro Serie is a result of the cooperation between the Turkish State Mint and the German MDM Company.

1999 Yaşayan Efsane Truva

Other coins of the Euro Serie:

  • 1998 Dolmabahce Palace, 3.000.000 TL
  • 1998 Galata Tower, 3.000.000 TL, by Esin Özkul(*1)
  • 1997 Saint Nicholas of Myra (Santa Claus), 1.500.000 TL, by Hakkı Baha Çavuşgil
  • 1999 Bosphorus, 4.000.000 TL, Snejana Ruseva – Hoyer
  • 1999 Living Legend Troy, 500.000 TL, David Cornell
  • 1999 Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, 4.000.000 Snejana Ruseva – Hoyer
  • 2000 Bosphorus (gold), 50.000.000 TL, Snejana Ruseva – Hoyer
  • 2001 Galata Tower (gold), 50.000.000 TL, Waldemar Wronski
  • 2001 Waterfront Mansions of the Bosphorus, 10.000.000 TL, Waldemar Wronski
  • 2000 Saint Nicholas of Myra (gold), 10.000.000 TL

 

[1] The golden coin released in 2001 bearing the same design is announced to be a handiwork of Waldemar Wronski

*cover photo :David Cornell FRSA working on the effigy of Sir Winston Churchill (https://blog.westminstercollection.com/tag/david-cornell)