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NUMISTR / RESEARCH REFERENCE

Ottoman and Turkish paper money

Separate issuer, emission group, series, signature and condition before comparing prices.

Sources checked: October 18, 2026

Ottoman paper money

TCMB’s museum dates the first Ottoman kaime to 1840 under Abdülmecid. It distinguishes these early interest-bearing instruments from later Ottoman Bank issues and wartime evrak-ı nakdiye. “Ottoman banknote” is therefore a broad family, not one catalogue series. Record the issuer and exact inscription as well as the denomination.

Republic notes begin in 1927

The first Republic emission entered circulation on 5 December 1927. TCMB explains that these notes used Ottoman script with French denominations, preceding the alphabet reform. An Arabic-script note is not necessarily an Ottoman Empire issue. Use the official emission archive to distinguish Republic notes from earlier material.

E1–E9 and the redenomination

TCMB groups Republic notes into emissions E1 through E9. E8 was introduced in 2005 when six zeros were removed; E9 followed in 2009 with “Yeni” removed from the currency name. A 1,000,000 old-lira note and a 1 new-lira note should not be compared merely by their printed numbers. Collector prices are separate from former face values and redemption rights.

Condition and varieties

Record Pick or other catalogue number, emission, denomination, serial prefix, signatures, dimensions and watermark. Photograph against transmitted light without altering the note. Folds, pinholes, trimming, washing, pressing and repairs can dominate value. A grading label should be verified through the grading company; a certificate alone does not replace inspection.

Sources and verification

Sources checked October 18, 2026. A link does not imply endorsement or affiliation.

Identify Ottoman coins and dates

A repeatable method for reading unfamiliar inscriptions without turning a guess into a catalogue fact.

The numismatic research library

Official issuers, museum records, catalogues and specialist literature.

War can determine whether a banknote was ever issued

TCMB records that some E2 notes never entered ordinary circulation: İnönü 50 kuruş and 100 lira notes printed in Britain were damaged during a ship attack at Piraeus. A planned denomination is therefore not automatically a normally issued note. For unusual E2 material, distinguish issued notes, unissued pieces, specimens and damaged survivors before comparing rarity or price.

TCMB · E2 archive ↗

E5 and the beginning of domestic banknote production

The fifth emission includes the purple 1000 lira popularly called Mor Binlik. TCMB places E5 introductions in 1951–1971 and identifies the third-series 100 lira as the first banknote printed in Türkiye after the domestic plant began production in 1958. Printer, series and signatures can therefore change the historical meaning of notes with the same denomination.

TCMB · E5 archive ↗

A banknote variety checklist

Begin with the emission group and denomination. Then compare series, signature pair, serial prefix, watermark, printer, color and dimensions. A serial number that looks attractive is not automatically a scarce variety. Check paper quality, folds, pressed surfaces, trimmed margins and repairs before treating a nominal grade as comparable. Preserve the catalogue number and exact issue in every sale record.