Ahmet Şimşek won the coin design competition in 1998, which was held to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Turkish Republic. His winning design was used for the silver coin titled ‘Republic and Youth.’
The composition features a girl and a boy, holding an olive branch and a torch, positioned alongside Atatürk’s profile, facing right. Surrounding the central design, decorations made of ears of wheat form part of a gearwheel that spans three-quarters of the circumference.
A set of seven coins was released in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of Republic of Türkiye.
A golden coin called “Republic 75” was a collective design. Effigy of Atatürk is the work of Pietro Giampaoli from the 50’ies.
Other coins were made in silver:
- “Republic and Lousanne”, “Republic 2000” (by Suat Özyönüm);
- “Republic and Children”, “Republic and Women” (by Nesrin Ekşi);
- “Republic and Reforms” (by Hakkı Baha Çavuşgil),
- “Republic and Youth” (by Ahmet Şimşek)
He attended another contest and won second place with his Millennium coin.
Two doves cuddling around a globe, forming a tulip outline.
(Other two winners of the Millenium Competition are Ayşe Şirin and Tan Mavitan)
Ahmet Şimşek also attended the coin design competition of 2006. The contest theme was Newroz (Spring Equinox) Celebrations.
Although he was announced to share the second place with Buket Esener, his design was not used on the coin (One side of the coin bears the design of Buket Esener and the other side bears the design of Betül Uğurlu).
