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 ewas released into circulation.)
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.
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 EuroBasket, 32. Avrupa Erkekler Basketbol Şampiyonası
2001 EuroBasket, 32. Avrupa Erkekler Basketbol Şampiyonası
2024 Centenary of the Directorate of Religious Affairs
2024 Cumhuriyet Dönemi Türk Siyasetçileri #4
2024 Cumhuriyet Dönemi Türk Siyasetçileri #4 Süleyman Demirel 20 Lira
[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.
Born in 1975, the artist graduated Marmara University Faculty of Fine Arts, Sculpture Programme in 1997.
During her career at the State Mint between 1997 and 2016, she created numerous coins and medals starting with the 5.000.000 Lira gold Dikilitas (the Obelisk of Theodosius) commemorative, which was the second piece of the Istanbul Cultural Heritage serie.
Reverse of the 50 Kr piece in circulation today; depicting the Bosphorus Bridge, is also her handiwork.
2009 Grand Bazaar Nuruosmaniye Gate medallion bearing the logo of the Turkish Numismatics Association and the Coat of Arms of the Ottoman Empire
2010 European Capital of Culture; Istanbul
[1] Sculptor / artist of some of the commemoratives released by the State Mint, were not announced on the certificates or the newsletters. Designers of such coins are listed only to the extent that we could identify their designer. The list will be updated with new information.
Abdullah Tasci and his professor Namik Bayik created the patterns for the majority of the coins of the 1982 Spain FIFA World Cup Commemorative Coins series. (One coin of the set of four pieces was designed mint sculptor Suat Ozyonum.)
1982 Spain World Football Championship gold 5000 TL – Obverse
1982 Spain World Football Championship gold 5000 TL – Reverse
1982 Spain World Football Championship silver 500 TL – Obverse
1982 Spain World Football Championship silver 500 TL – Reverse
1982 Spain World Football Championship cupronickel 100 TL – Obverse
1982 Spain World Football Championship cupronickel 100 TL – Reverse
He enrolled the Academy of Fine Arts in 1967, and graduated the Graphical Arts Faculty in 1972.
He became assistant professor in 1982 with his thesis titled “Graphic Layout and Contemporary Book Graphics in Turkish Manuscripts” under Prof. Emin Barın. He tought at the Mimar Sinan University of Fine Arts until his reitrement in 1999. Afterwards he tought at Maltepe University between 2000 and 2007, and at Dogus University between 2007 and 2020.
He created the logo still used by the Mimar Sinan University of Fine Arts, designed 8 font families, and translated around 1.000 fonts into Turkish.
Namik Bayik and his student Abdullah Tasci created the patterns for the majority of the coins of the 1982 Spain FIFA World Cup Commemorative Coins series. (One coin of the set of four pieces was designed mint sculptor Suat Ozyonum.)
1982 Spain World Football Championship gold 5000 TL – Obverse
1982 Spain World Football Championship gold 5000 TL – Reverse
1982 Spain World Football Championship silver 500 TL – Obverse
1982 Spain World Football Championship silver 500 TL – Reverse
1982 Spain World Football Championship cupronickel 100 TL – Obverse
1982 Spain World Football Championship cupronickel 100 TL – Reverse
1982 Spain World Football Championship (II) silver 500 TL – Obverse by Suat Ozyonum
1982 Spain World Football Championship (II) silver 500 TL – Reverse by Suat Ozyonum
Etem Çalışkan, another student of Prof. Emin Barın and Namik Bayik, designed the commemorative coins for the centenary of Atatürk’s birth.
Born in 1951, the artist enrolled in the Academy of Fine Arts in 1974. With encouragement from his professors Şadi Çalık and Hüseyin Gezer, he started working for the State Mint in 1977. However, he shortly quit to focus on his studies.
One year after graduating from the academy in 1980, he was invited by the State Mint and so he joined the staff. In 1986 he was sent to Italian Mint in Rome on a five-month programme to study contemporary coin making techniques.
He retired from the Turkish State Mint in 2006.
Exhibitions he took part in:
1976 – Participated in the Open-Air Painting Exhibition at the Archaeological Museums.
1978 – Took part in the YDGSA Higher Sculpture Department Student Group Exhibition.
1978 – Participated in the State Painting and Sculpture Exhibition.
1979 – Opened his first solo sculpture exhibition at Nur Art Gallery.
1979 – Participated in the State Painting and Sculpture Exhibition.
1979 – Took part in the 2nd Art Festival events.
1981 – Participated in the 3rd Istanbul Art Festival “New Trends” Exhibition.
1981 – Joined the contemporary mixed sculpture exhibition at Maçka Art Gallery.
1981 – Took part in the mixed painting and sculpture exhibition at Moda Fine Arts Gallery.
1984 – Participated in the 12th International Istanbul Festival “Contemporary Artists 5th Istanbul Exhibition.”
1993 – Held a Unique Medallion and Sculpture Exhibition at Sadberk Hanım Museum.
1994 – Opened a sculpture exhibition at Foks Art Gallery.
2001 – Participated in the exhibition “Meeting with Sculpture on the 78th Anniversary of the Republic” at Akbank Art Center.
Awards he received:
1979 – Received First Prize in the Osman Hamdi Sculpture Competition.
1987 – Received two honorable mentions in the State Medals and Orders competition organized by the Prime Ministry.
Coins he designed and engraved during his tenure at the State Mint:
FAO design used on 1977 2,5, 5 and 50 lira pieces. the tag line reads; “Herkese Ekmek ve Konut” (Food and housing for everyone)
1981 IYDP International Year of Disabled People gold commemorative coin
1977 FAO Food and Shelter for Everyone acmonital 2½ and 5 Lira and a silver commemorative coin with face value of 50 Lira
1981 International Year of Disabled People gold 30.000 Lira
1983 60th anniversary of the Turkish Republic obverse bearing effigy of Atatürk
1983 FAO World Food Day
1983 FAO 16th October World Food Day, silver 1.500 Lira
1983 60th anniversary of the Turkish Republic commemorative coin (the obverse bearing the effigy of Atatürk) *1)
1984 1 Lira circulation coin; the obverse bearing the effigy of Atatürk
1984 5 Lira circulation coin; the obverse bearing the effigy of Atatürk
1984 10 Lira circulation coin; the obverse bearing the effigy of Atatürk
1984 50 Lira circulation coin; the obverse bearing the effigy of Atatürk
1984 100 Lira circulation coin; the obverse bearing the effigy of Atatürk
1984 United Nations, Decade for Women silver and gold commemoratives
1984 50th anniversary of Turkish Women obtaining the right to vote and the right to run for office
1984 20 Lira circulation coin; the obverse bearing the effigy of Atatürk
1985 25 Lira circulation coin; the obverse bearing the effigy of Atatürk
1985 FAO 9th World Forestry Conference Mexico
1985 World Youth Year
1989 Teachers Day 24th of November
1986 International Year of Peace, gold and silver commemoratives
1987 International Year of Shelter for the Homeless
1988 50 Lira circulation coin; the obverse bearing the effigy of Atatürk
1988 100 Lira commemorative coin; Mexico strike the obverse bearing the effigy of Atatürk (*2)
1989 500 Lira circulation coin; the obverse bearing the effigy of Atatürk
2002 Türkiye’nin Çiçekleri – Antalya Süseni (Iris Pamphylica)
2004 Binyılın Türk’leri – Nazım Hikmet Ran
2005 T.B.M.M. Türkiye Büyük Millet Meclisi 85. Milli Egemenlik Yılı
2005 tedavül paralarından 1, 5 ve 10 Kuruşların tura yüzünde yer alan Atatürk portreleri
2009 tedavül paralarının tamamında (1, 5, 10, 25 ve 50 Kuruş ile 1 Lira) tura yüzünde yer alan, ilk olarak 1984 yılı 1, 5, 10, 20 ve 50 Liralıklarda yer alan Mustafa Kemal Atatürk portresi.
İlk kez 1984 yılı FAO Balıkçılık altın parasının yazı yüzünde kullanılan ve 1984’ten itibaren para setlerinde görülen Darphane logosu kendisinin eseridir (*27, Sf. 73, 74 & 75).
İstanbul Darphanesi Logosu
Darphane’deki diğer eserleri:
TBMM – Türkiye Büyük Millet Meclisi madalyon ön
TBMM – Türkiye Büyük Millet Meclisi madalyon arka
1989 NATO’nun 40. Yılı ön
1989 NATO’nun 40. Yılı arka
1990 – Herşey İnsan İçindir – Çevre Emanettir madalyon
1990 – İnsanı Sev Çevreni Koru madalyon
1998 Habitat 2 Kent Zirvesi madalyon
İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi şehrin altın anahtarı ön & arka
İBB altın anahtarı sunum kutusu
İBB altın anahtarı kutusu
Other Works at the Mint
Grand National Assembly of Turkey medallion
40th anniversary of NATO commemorative medallion with the slogan “Peace in Freedom”
1990 medallion with the slogans “Love People, Protect the Environment” and “Everything is for People – The Environment is a Trust”
1998 Habitat II Istanbul Urban Summit medallion
Gold-plated key to the city and box, produced for the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality
[2]Workers of the Mint went on strike between June 23 and October 19, 1988. Some of the circulation coins were struck at the Mexican Mint. 10 million 100 Lira coins dated 1988 and approximately 66 million 500 Lira coins dated 1989 were minted in Mexico using molds produced in Istanbul. In addition to the circulation coins produced, one thousand silver 100 and 500 Lira commemorative coins were minted. These commemorative coins, which were kept in the Turkish Mint for a while, were offered for sale to registered collectors in 1995 (*27, p 100).
* See all the artists who contributed to the designs of Turkish Republican coins and banknotes here.
Isa Avni Kumuk, was born in 1934 in Samsun to a family of Caucasian descent. He was involved with his family business of jevellry-making at the early age of six. He was quite interested and competent in maths during elementary school and and was even nicknamed Pisagor (Pythagoras). after his graduation from high school in 1953, he started his own workshop at the Grand Bazaar as a jevellry-maker and engraver. He was admitted to Istanbul Technical University as the 12th applicant.
He worked for the Turkish State Mint between 1964 and 1976 first as a technical personnel, later as the head of engraving workshop and technical consultant. During his service, he was appointed to examine the Spoonmaker’s Diamond to authenticate and measure its dimensions.
He designed many circulation and commemorative coins after 1970. His technique was compared to Giampaoli‘s.
50 Kurus piece released in 1971 was his handiwork. After visiting an exhibition of traditional Anatolian clothes, administrators of the mint asked him to come up with a portrait of a woman in traditional Anatolian head dress. The owner of said exhibition Sabiha Tansug was photographed in the Ankara Headpiece, but in order not to portrait any significant person, Avni Kumuk cut out her face and completed the portrait with an imaginary average Turkish woman.
1970 50th Anniversary of the GNAT Grand National Assembly of Türkiye. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
1970 50th Anniversary of the GNAT Grand National Assembly of Türkiye. The First parliament building
FAO design used on various coins. Ataturk driving a tractor with the motto that reads “plow is mightier than the sword”
Alparslan; the second sultan of the Seljuk Empire on the obverse of the silver coin commemorating 900 years of the Battle of Manzikert
Reverse of the silver coin commemorating 900 years of the Battle of Manzikert. Rays coming out of Battleground, westward into Anatolia
Obverse of 5 Lira coins from 1974, depicting Ataturk on his horse from the statue in Samsun
portrait of an Anatolian woman wearing traditional headdress, used on several coins starting with 50 Kr of 1971
50th anniversary of the Battle of Dumlupınar. Obverse depicts Atatürk on horseback
50th anniversary of the Battle of Dumlupınar. Reverse depicts a scene from the battle ground
50th anniversary of the Republic; 1973. Obverse of the silver 50 and 100 Lira coins
50th anniversary of the Republic; 1973. Obverse of the gold 500 Lira coin
50th anniversary of the Republic; 1973. Reverse design of all three coins of the set
FAO Family Planning – Food for everyone
FAO Development of the villager women
FAO Development of the villager women
FAO Ornament of women should be culture and virtue
Around 1976, the head of the State mint – also a prominent poet Cemal Süreya – was instructed to decommission old machinery of the mint. Avni Kumuk convinced him to keep the machinery for display.
After his work at the Mint had ended, in 1982, he started his own company called International Goldart İstanbul, and produced over 700 medals, badges, pins and emblems ordered by several private companies and Turkish Numismatics Association. He received several awards by Turkish and international, private and public institutions.
Commemorative and circulation coins he designed and produced:
1970:
25 Lira silver coin commemorating the 50th anniversary of the TBMM – Grand National Assembly of Turkey
Acmonital 2½ Lira with the obverse bearing Ataturk on a tractor; minted part of the FAO programme.
1971:
50 Lira silver coin commemorating 900 years of Battle of Manzikert
Bronze 10 Kr, Ataturk on a tractor; part of FAO programme,
Acmonital 50 Kr circulation piece with a woman wearing Anatolian headdrress.
1972:
silver 50 Lira commemorating 50th anniversary of the Victory of August the 30th
golden medals commemorating victory of Battle of Dumlupınar
1973:
50 and 100 Lira silver and 500 Lira gold coins commemorating 50th anniversary of the Republic
1974:
5 Lira circulation piece bearing Ataturk’s statue in Samsun
1975:
Aluminium 5 Kurus part of FAO programme
1976:
Aluminium 5 and 10 Kr and acmonital 5 Lira of the FAO series
1978:
FAO acmonital 50 Kurus, 1 and 2½ Lira
FAO acmonital 5 Lira and silver 150 Lira
FAO gold 500 Lira,
FAO gold 1.000 Lira
1979:
FAO bronze and aluminium 1 Kuruş
FAO acmonital 50 Kuruş and 1 Lira,
FAO acmonital 2½ and 5, also silver 150 Lira
FAO gold 500 Lira,
FAO gold 1.000 Lira,
1980:
FAO bronze 10, acmonital 50 Kurus and 1 Lira,
FAO gold 500 Lira
Some of the medals he produced:
for the Turkish Armed Forces:
First and Second degree Honour Medals
First and Second degree Pride Medals
Medal of Distinguished Service
First and Second degree War Medals
Emblem of the Turkish Army (Turkish Land Forces)
Turkish Army commemorative medallion
for various establishments:
commemorative medallion for the 500th anniversary of the conquest of Constantinople / İstanbul
commemorative medallion for the inauguration of 15 July Martyrs Bridge (named Bosphorus Bridge when first opened)
commemorative medallion for the inauguration of Haliç (Golden Horn) Bridge
medallion commemorating Saudi King Faisal’s visit to Türkiye
medallion commemorating Islamic Conference in Istanbul
Rumelian Fortress restoration medal depicting Mehmed 2nd, the Conqueror
Rumelian Fortress restoration medal depicting the fortress
medallion commemorating the 50th anniversary of Battle of Dumlupınar; Mustafa Kemal depicted on the battle day
medallion commemorating the 50th anniversary of Battle of Dumlupınar; Krippel’s Monument of Great Triumph
1971, 900 years of Basttle of Manzikert, effigy of Alparslan
1971, 900 years of Basttle of Manzikert, a scene from the battlefield
1976 Ziya Gokalp commemorative medallion
1976 Ziya Gokalp commemorative medallion; scene from the legend of Ergenekon; the blacksmith who melts a passage through the mountain, and the gray she wolf Asena, leading the way
1978 Turkish Numismatics Association medal commemorating the first Turkish Numismatist Abdullatif Suphi Pasa
1978 Turkish Numismatics Association medal commemorating the first Turkish Numismatist Abdullatif Suphi Pasa
1978 Turkish Numismatics Association medal commemorating 50th anniversary of the alphabet reform
1978 Turkish Numismatics Association medal commemorating 50th anniversary of the alphabet reform
1979 Turkish Numismatics Association medal commemorating Numismatist Halil Edhem Eldem
1979 Turkish Numismatics Association medal commemorating Numismatist Halil Edhem Eldem
1980 Turkish Numismatics Association medal commemorating Avicenna
1980 Turkish Numismatics Association medal commemorating Avicenna
Ataturk’s 100th birthday Canada – Türkiye friendship medallion
Ataturk’s 100th birthday Canada – Türkiye friendship medallion
1981 Eskisehir Tourism Association, Yunus Emre Culture and Arts Festival
1981 Eskisehir Tourism Association, Yunus Emre Culture and Arts Festival
Sakıp Sabancı
Commemorative gold medallion
medal promoting the campaign for a new naval frigate
Avni Kumuk was also interested in painting, he was not only a skillful artist, but also a competent engineer. After the intervention to Cyprus by Turkey in 1974, he contributed to complicated parts the defence industry needed and that had to be domestically produced.
He was a member of the industrial advisory committee of ITU Mechanical Engineering Faculty. He assisted many public and private companies with their intricate designs of parts and dyes.
Father of 2 sons, Avni Kumuk worked until his last minute with the principle of giving back to the society.
Designer of the last coins of the Ottoman Empire and also the first coin series of the Turkish Republic minted between 1924 – 1928.
Also known as Mesrur İzzet Bey, he has been serving the Istanbul Mint since 1905 and is also the designer of the Turkish Medal of Independence.
He studied sculpture at the Fine Arts School (later called “Istanbul Fine Arts Academy, today named Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University).
He has worked in several fields, including sculpture, painting, philately, and numismatics, and has designed a significant amount of medals for various establishments.
1 Lira (bullion Gold, Monnaies de Luxe) 1927 ~1928
2,5 Lira (Ankara Gold Bullion) 1926 ~1929
2,5 Lira (bullion Gold, Monnaies de Luxe) 1927 ~1928
5 Lira (Ankara Gold Bullion) 1925 ~1929
5 Lira (bullion gold, Monnaies de Luxe) 1927 ~1928
10 Para 1936 (This smallest denomination coin was exempt from the contests of 1934, first drafts were announced in 1934. Newspapers and the magazines published photo of the models but it was introduced into circulation firstly in 1940.
2005 Yılı 50 Yeni Kuruş (New Kurus) obverse bearing Atatürk facing right is also based on a reused model from his works of 1933.
His life and works are published in detail in a two volume book by Celil Ender & Orhan Okay (2003 & 2004 Turkish Numismatics Society Publications)
Ahmet Mesrur Durum (aka Mesrur İzzet) right
Aksam Newspaper from 9th of May 1937, the 10 Para coin model can be seen
